Mr. Speaker, I am trying to dwell on a point. I would really appreciate if the Minister of Personnel could give me a specific answer. These so-called professionals that individuals go to, go to them in confidence because they are supposed to be professionals. I would like to know, the document they sign when they take on employment with the GNWT, in respect to an oath of office and secrecy, and it is not upheld, is the Minister indicating that it is okay to not adhere to their oath of office and secrecy that they signed?

Minister of Personnel.

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, your last supplementary.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the Minister of Personnel is not suggesting that at all, will he consider reviewing the issue of the fact that so-called professionals were not adhering to and did not uphold the oath of office and secrecy in releasing confidential information to the public?

Minister responsible for Personnel.

Mr. Todd.

My question is to the Minister of Finance. Would the Minister consider providing the standing committee on finance with a full financial briefing on the savings from the 90-day restraint measure prior to the opening of the House on February 12th?

Mr. Pollard.

Yes, I will, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Item 6, written questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board.

1) Would the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board provide me and other Members with correspondence defining "principally engaged" by the following departments: Priorities and Planning, Department of Personnel, Department of Social Services, Department of Renewable Resources, Department of Finance, Department of Justice and the Workers' Compensation Board?

2) Would the Minister also provide me with the correspondence to local hunters and trappers associations and band councils that were consulted regarding the definition of "principally engaged?"

3) Would the Minister also provide me with a copy of the memorandum of agreement approved by the Executive Council on June 28, 1990?

Written questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is to the Minister responsible for Justice in each and every community in the NWT. On December 8, 1991, Clem Sassie died in Fort Liard after being treated for a superficial stab wound and mild hypothermia at the local health centre. Would the Minister of Justice investigate this death and advise:

1) As to the results of the coroner's investigation which must be conducted under the Coroners Act;

2) As to whether the Minister is prepared to recommend that an inquest be held by the chief coroner or a judge into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Sassie's death pursuant to section 24(1) of the Coroners Act;

3) If the Minister is not prepared to order an inquest, why not? Mahsi.

Written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Mr. Speaker, return to Question W3-12(1), asked by Mr. Gargan to the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, concerning funding of native women's organizations; return to Question W6-12(1), asked by Mr. Pudluk to the Minister of Social Services, concerning age requirement for old age pensioners; return to Question W7-12(1), asked by Mr. Dent to the Minister of Government Services, concerning the Department of Government Services' tendering policies.

Hon. John Ningark's return to Question W3-12(1), asked by Mr. Gargan on December 11, 1991: Since 1979-80 the Native Women's Association has received funding from the Government of the Northwest Territories. Funding is provided to the association as a core grant to be used for operation and administration services. In 1979-80 the Native Women's Association received $30,000 in core grant funding and, since then, the annual contribution to the organization has increased to $175,000 in 1991-92.

Funding for community activities, programs, and/or services undertaken by the Native Women's Association is the responsibility of the organization itself.

Hon. Tony Whitford's return to Question W6-12(1), asked by Mr. Pudluk on December 11, 1991: The age at which all Canadian citizens receive the old age security pension has been established at 65 years by the federal government. Statistics across Canada indicate that the percentage of seniors over the age of 65 years is increasing, as seniors are living longer.

It is unlikely that the federal government will lower the old age security eligibility below age 65. The only exception that presently exists relates to a spouse, spouse of a pensioner, a widow or widower.

A spouse between age 60 to 64 is eligible to receive a spousal allowance if the pensioner over 65 has limited income and is eligible to receive the guaranteed income portion of his/her pension. A widow or widower will receive a widowed spouse allowance at age 60 if his/her income is below the allowable limit.

Hon. John Ningark's return to Question W7-12(1), asked by Mr. Dent on December 13, 1991: The concerns raised by the two northern businesses whose letters the Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake attached to his written question have been carefully reviewed and answered. In neither instance is there any question as to tendering policies not being followed. In both instances the supplier has been advised of the reasons for the actions taken. Copies of the replies sent will be provided to Mr. Dent as requested.

No one can dispute that government, like any other buyer, has the right to determine what equipment is required or what the conditions of the purchase will be. When a bid is received, government must be able to determine exactly what is being offered, that the item being offered is as specified, and when it will be delivered. Agreeing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for equipment that has not been certified would be a very grave error indeed.

For every tender invitation there will be a winner and losers. Most of the time those who lose accept it as a fact of business. From time to time complaints are filed. Each and every one of these complaints is investigated very seriously. It is very important that the way government does business be seen to be fair and legally correct.

Thank you. We will recess for a short break.

---SHORT RECESS

I call the Assembly back into session. Item 8, replies to Opening Address. Mr. Koe.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, my colleagues. (Translation ends) I will be trying out my Gwich'in language throughout my presentation, so be prepared.

---Applause

Tribute To Mr. Tom Butters

Mr. Speaker, this being my first reply to the Commissioner's Opening Address, I would like to pay tribute to the former Member for Inuvik, Mr. Tom Butters.

---Applause

In 1970, when Mr. Butters was first elected, the constituency was called Western Arctic and was a lot larger than today. In 1970, Mr. Butters was one of only 10 elected Members, and we still had appointed Members to the then Council. The constituency was changed and called Inuvik in 1975 when the Assembly was first fully elected.

In his 21 years of service to the people of Inuvik and the Northwest Territories, Mr. Butters served on almost all of the standing committees and held 15 different ministerial portfolios. Mr. Butters served on the Executive Council from 1978 until he retired in 1991, with the exception of one year, in 1988. During that year he was not on cabinet he was instrumental in starting the ordinary Members' committee which became ajauqtit and now the ordinary Members' caucus.

He was a tireless worker and was a real ambassador for the Northwest Territories. He gave of his time and energies to serve not only the people of Inuvik, but of the whole Northwest Territories. I wish him and his wife, Peg, well and hope he finally enjoys his retirement. Well done, Tom.

---Applause

When I first put my name forward as a candidate for the election to become a Member of the Legislative Assembly and replace Tom Butters, I had many ideas and dreams. Since October 16, 1991, when I was elected, and in the intervening time, I have learned and experienced a lot. I have also had the opportunity to talk to a lot of people in Inuvik and many of the government officials and some of the current Ministers. These discussions and knowledge which I picked up have given me an opportunity to relook and rethink my plans and strategies.

However, many of the basic themes which I advocated still exist. I was elected by the people of Inuvik to represent them, and I intend to do that to the best of my abilities.

(Translation) I would like to say a little more on this. For the people of Inuvik who have elected me, that is why I am here today. I would like to represent them better. (Translation ends)

I stated that I will work toward revitalizing Inuvik as a business service centre, concentrating on tourism and other business services. I also stated that Inuvik must develop a vision and by revitalizing and enhancing Inuvik's entrepreneurial spirit, Inuvik can attract new businesses and government investment.

Inuvik has many people interested in its future and willing to volunteer or help develop the community into a place which not only has a strong economy but is a community with an improving lifestyle. An improved economy will assist in improving the quality of life, but everyone must ensure that all social and counselling support systems are also available.

Mr. Speaker, I have prepared a plan entitled "Inuvik Revitalization Plan" which I would like to present to this Assembly. I would like to make a qualification on this presentation in that these are Fred Koe's ideas and are something which I am working towards implementing with the support of everyone in this Assembly, in the government, in Inuvik, and in the surrounding communities.

Inuvik Revitalization Plan

Economic Overview

Until 1985, the Beaufort/Mackenzie Delta area enjoyed relatively steady economic activity from the hydrocarbon industries. The downturn since 1985 of hydrocarbon exploration dramatically affected the communities in the area, especially Inuvik, which had placed a great deal of hope on this industry to make the town a prosperous one. Inuvik is currently looking at new economic sectors to provide a stable economic base. Tourism, in particular, is a growing industry in the area. The delivery of services to Inuvik residents and nearby communities is also a solid component of the economy.

The hydrocarbon industry does have significant impacts on the amount of money individuals have and on the viability of Inuvik's service industries. The negative outcome of a decreased wage economy has been the rise in social assistance. In some communities social assistance has tripled in less than two years. Although high wages from the oil and gas companies created significant social and cultural problems, the alternative impact of increased social assistance on an individual's self-esteem is worse.

Social/Cultural Overview

The community of Inuvik consists basically of three ethnic groups: Gwich'in, Inuvialuit, and non-native. All three groups share a strong interest in the socio-economic development of the community. There is also an independent spirit based on entrepreneurial skills and community control that is common among the groups.

There are differences among the groups because of land claim negotiations and the various economic activities. However, with the settlement of the Inuvialuit and now Gwich'in land claims and the recent downturn of the hydrocarbon industries, the differences have drifted into the background, creating a new openness among the residents of Inuvik. The clarity of the rights and benefits of land claim agreements has also developed a greater trust between the non-native and native residents.

Political Overview

(Translation) There are three native groups in the Inuvik Region: Inuvialuit; Gwich'in; and Sahtu Dene-Metis. Each of these groups have on their current political agenda the restructuring of government. Irrespective of each group's position on self-government, the common element of the three groups is greater autonomy from the centralized government in Yellowknife. This is also the aspiration of Inuvik's residents -- not only for political control, but it will also strengthen the economy by local government spending. (Translation ends)

Revitalization Plan, Four Projects

The Government of the Northwest Territories' recent report, "Strength at Two Levels", outlines a basic method in which communities can achieve a greater degree of control over government programs and services. The intention of allowing the community to determine how the resources can be applied will give the community the opportunity to plan and develop projects to maximize employment and small business potentials.

Inuvik must continue to strengthen the relationships between ethnic groups and associated organizations. Dialogue between the organizations representing the aboriginal groups, the Gwich'in Band Council, Inuvialuit Community Corporation, and the town council, must be developed to plan and develop four projects which require the organizations' combined resources -- political, human and financial.

It is hoped that these three community organizations will work together on these projects. What is needed now is a strong commitment of support from the central government and a willingness to assist in the planning and development stages. It is also important to immediately allow Inuvik to consider the reallocation, consolidating and the prioritizing of projects in Inuvik before decisions are made for Inuvik by the central government.

I have started discussions with these organizations in Inuvik to begin the revitalization of Inuvik's infrastructure and socio-economic development. There is a general spirit of co-operation between the groups and a desire to implement projects to achieve common goals rather than political positions.

Early in the new year, informal meetings will be held between the three organizations. It is hoped that a steering committee can be formed to arrange for consultation workshops and meetings with other community organizations to ensure feedback from a wide range of community interests such as the churches, chamber of commerce, youth groups, friendship centre, native women's group. The consultation process will develop a sense of ownership of these projects.

In the long term, working together on common goals will facilitate discussions to address political agendas such as the Inuvialuit regional government proposal, Gwich'in self-government framework agreement and the Government of the Northwest Territories community self-government initiatives. Common goals should be translated into specific projects to act as catalysts in the overall comprehensive development of the community. There are four projects which can be used to provide focus to sector development in Inuvik:

The Aurora Campus of Arctic College can provide relevant programs to meet the education and training needs in Inuvik and within the region through extension delivery. The Gwich'in training plan and the Beatty report describe an integrated system of employment development and income support which will provide the vehicle to direct existing funds in a more productive manner. Specific courses will also build the capacity of Inuvik residents to take control of the other projects identified.

A visitors/cultural centre will provide focus to tourism development and be a catalyst for the implementation of a common tourism work plan to take advantage of this new market.

A new recreation facility for sports and cultural events will strengthen bonds between the various groups and provide a needed social focus for our youth.

A business development centre for the production of arts and crafts and the sale of local products will provide basic support for local businesses to serve tourists, government and the communities. The project shall also provide a badly needed profile to the renewable resource sector development.

Mr. Speaker, it should be stated that each of these four projects is part of the government's current budget estimates. What the residents of Inuvik need is the support of this government to plan, re-profile funds and have a direct participation in the development of these projects.

I would like to go into a little more detail on some of these projects and some of the related initiatives. The short-term benefits of the projects are obvious: employment, skills development and economic enhancement. The major purpose of these projects, however, shall be for the long-term benefits in the development of various economic sectors and to strengthen the unique nature of Inuvik by bringing people together. The Commissioner's Opening Address speaks to a renewed effort to build a more effective government which, in partnership with the communities, will build a stronger northern society. These projects, with government support, will implement the goals clearly stated and supported by Inuvik residents.

I will now describe some of the four projects and some of the related initiatives which shall flow from the four projects and enhance economic sectors in a comprehensive manner as well as strengthen the cultural and social fabric of Inuvik.

Education And Training

Although Arctic College has delivered training initiatives in the region for many years, it is apparent that greater effort must be given to literacy and life-skills training in order for individuals to gain the basic skills to take technical trades and professional training. The overall long-term goals are to invest in literacy, life skills and upgrading to advance the individual's capacity to acquire trades and professional skills, and to build long-term capabilities in the community to govern their affairs and generate increased local employment.

The Gwich'in, specifically, have detailed this goal in a training plan and have over the past year started the process of co-ordinating government efforts to meet this goal through a regional management training board. It may also be worthwhile to examine the Native Women's Association life-skills training courses and develop a life skills coaches program for the Northwest Territories.

Arctic College also suffers financially because of the loss of programs. In addition to Arctic College and other training delivery agencies' literacy, life-skills and upgrading components, long-term education and training needs of the Inuvik Region can be met through the provision of professional training courses. One of these is the teacher education program. A program similar to the Dogrib teacher education program is needed in the Inuvik area. Each of the aboriginal organizations have a common need for the program. It is in the interest of government to build a home-grown teaching staff which can deliver relevant cultural instruction.

With the Inuvik Hospital nearby, it makes sense to develop local staff by providing a certified or diploma nursing training program. This will produce long-term cost savings to government and more effective preventative health programs to the smaller communities nearby by training local residents and saving money on the recruitment of southern nurses.

Another one is the community administration training. The combined efforts of MACA, Arctic College and the communities are needed to develop a local administration staff to take on the responsibilities of community and aboriginal self-government initiatives. A spin-off effect of this type of training is that it will also meet the administration needs of land claims implementation.

On entrepreneurial training, because of land claims and the potential growth of tourism and service industries, there is a need to develop entrepreneurial skills to ensure that small businesses have management capabilities to develop their businesses.

On tourism training, with a visitors/cultural centre and the eventual implementation of a common tourism work plan, there will be a need for competent tourist services. Hospitality, guiding and outfitting courses will produce a work force that can greet tourists in the manner which continues to encourage the growth of this industry.

Tourism

Mr. Speaker, I mentioned that tourism was another major growth industry. Regional tourism strategies have been outlined several times in the past, but strategies have failed to focus on the tourist's practical needs. The construction of a visitors/cultural centre could involve the following potential occupants:

The Department of Culture and Communications with a museum, Inuvik Native Band and Metis Local, Parks Canada, Inuvik Visitors Association, Delta/Beaufort Visitors Association, and you can also house a regional library there. Other users of the space could be federal Fisheries, Department of Education, Gwich'in Tribal Council, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Science Institute of the NWT. All can use the building for displays or information disbursement.

Generally, the theme of the building must include the distinctiveness of the cultural groups of Inuvik and information for tourists. There should also be adequate outdoor space for displays, activities and parking. The construction of this building in a central location will provide for office needs of various related tourism or cultural departments or organizations and provide a focus to tourism development in the area.

The organizations that occupy the centre can continue to assess tourists' needs to determine what potential businesses can be created or supported to enhance the marketing and servicing of tourists when they arrive. Two other projects under way that will also assist in the development of the tourism industry are:

Inuit Circumpolar Conference

The Inuit Circumpolar Conference is scheduled for next summer. It will be an international event with large cultural dimensions, and it is important for government to invest in this initiative in order to capitalize on marketing opportunities. It has been government strategy in the past to market at large southern expositions, but this conference will provide a unique opportunity to draw tourists to a northern cultural event and build a reputation in the area as a major tourist attraction. Government should promote this event in a similar manner as they have with Vancouver and Seville Expos. Financial support to the town's and the Inuvialuit's efforts must be provided to ensure increased marketing of this event.

Campbell Lake Park

Another development under way is the Campbell Lake park. The Gwich'in final agreement has facilitated the establishment of this park. The development of this park will provide an eco-tourism focus to the Delta/Beaufort as well as increase facilities for recreational vehicles and camping. Increased capital and program resources will speed up the development and establishment of this long overdue park.

Small Business Development Initiatives

Mr. Speaker, I would like to now focus on some small business development initiatives. Several attempts in the past to build facilities for the enhancement of renewable resources have failed, mainly because of grand schemes and over-extended supply for limited demand. The crafts and renewable resource product producers can concentrate on a local market, and with expanded tourism and southern markets, the producers can expand their small businesses and cottage crafts industries.

The turnover of the old liquor store as a centre for the development of small business can be the catalyst to expanding businesses in various sectors. It is also important to note that a lot of small businesses fail because of the lack of ongoing business and management support mechanisms.

The centre for small business will focus on the provision of the following: a discount warehouse for hunters, trappers and crafts supplies; provide for office support for small businesses, as well as to the general public; provide for the marketing of crafts and other products; be a centre for the allocation of orders as a result of successful marketing; and hopefully sell renewable resource products.

The centre may need continued government support, but there are various organization which exist to provide support to businesses. Some of these are the chamber of commerce, community futures program, Inuvik business development program, the government's Economic Development personnel and the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit CAEDS business development operations which can support the ongoing operations and maintenance costs of small businesses.

As some businesses develop and expand into viable operations, support services such as reception, secretarial and financial services can also operate with greater profit motives. Increasingly, the centre for small businesses will become a co-operative association of small businesses.

Capital Projects

Mr. Speaker, another consideration related to small businesses is the ability of Inuvik's small construction businesses and their ability to take on large government and oil and gas industries capital projects. Capital projects should be planned in such a way as to maximize the involvement of the local industry and local people. For example, instead of construction of capital projects in one year, perhaps it should be spread over several, or a single contract can be broken into several so that local businesses can successfully compete and bid on these projects. Another approach is to investigate how the community and/or businesses can take on ownership of buildings.

This does not require a great deal of planning and allows for community control and ownership for the project, creating totally local benefits. The Dempster Highway maintenance and reconstruction is a good project in which government should consider the breaking up of the maintenance and construction contracts for the highway into several smaller contracts. This will enable local businessmen to successfully bid, provide for training and allow for the retention of benefits within the region.

Recreation

Mr. Speaker, I would like now to focus on some of the recreation initiatives. Inuvik needs recreation facilities for a number of social and cultural reasons. The community must undertake a comprehensive fund- raising campaign to match available government funds. The community should also examine and plan how other community capital requirements may be integrated with such a facility and ensure the economic viability of this project. Many things can take place in a large complex, such as large conferences and trade shows, community hall type facilities such as dances and bingos and large regional and local sporting events.

The concept of an Inuvik recreational facility has been on the drawing board for many years. There has never been a question of need; the only one has been one of finances. Because of the economic downturn, the town council has lost a lot of tax-based income to support a large project of this nature.

A concentrated effort by community organizations and residents must be undertaken to raise finances to undertake this projects. However, there should also be some effort by central government to examine other potential operational capital efficiencies to a recreational facility. Extension of government's allocated funds available to Inuvik for this facility must be given so efforts can be made locally to organize and develop this project.

Mr. Speaker, this concludes my presentation, and I thank the Members for listening to me. I hope that over the next four years we can work together for the benefit of all our constituents and, in my case, especially for the residents of Inuvik, who have felt quite left out over the past few years. I alone cannot achieve these goals and plans, so I need everyone's help and guidance. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Replies to opening address. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express different concerns of issues that affect my constituents. However, first of all, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the time to thank my constituency for their support in re-electing me as their MLA. I would also like to take the time to thank my family for the support that they have given me.

Thebacha Concerns

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of concerns that are of importance to my constituency, and there are a number of goals I would like to work towards achieving. It is my hope that the goals I am attempting to achieve are indeed achievable, and I will be candid in advising the particular Ministers regarding the types of goals I will be working towards over the next four years.

Paving Of Highway

To the Minister of Transportation, I will be working towards pavement on our highway from Sandy Lake to Bell Rock. The government should make every effort to complete the stretch of pavement that they started some six years ago. I want the Minister of Transportation to know that this particular area of highway has a solid base and, therefore, would not cost as much as other estimates when they were doing pavement in other areas of the Territories.

Education

To the same Minister, although under another responsibility as the Minister of Education, it is my hope that the completion of the academic building that they have started working on in their planning work for the college in Fort Smith will be completed in the next four years. Mr. Speaker, I know that there has been some concern with regard to the whole college concept in the Territories, but I still feel that fundamentally we are progressing. I believe we have to give opportunity to our northern students to be able to take up the education in their homeland prior to being told that they have to go south for further education.

Mr. Speaker, I want the Minister of Education to know so that he is aware that in Fort Smith we have a 32-year old elementary school. Structurally it is a very sound building. However, I know that there are certain components in the building that have fulfilled their purpose. I know the heating system could probably use a more updated heating system. So I certainly hope that he takes a serious look at renovating the Joseph Burr Tyrrell Elementary School. I believe it is critical and important for students that are attending that school to be able to be learning under a healthy and good atmosphere.

CL-215 Base In Fort Smith

To the Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Speaker, I certainly hope that he supports the construction of a CL-215 base in Fort Smith. A CL-215 base is basically a base that will look after water bombers. Every year for the past number of years, the water bombers that are based in Fort Smith return south. They come back in the summertime and are based out of the community to fight fires that we may expect around our area and in the western Arctic. But unfortunately, as I stated, they go south every fall. I used to wonder what they go south for. But now I know it is because we do not have a hangar or a proper base to be able to accommodate them in the North. They also go south to get repaired. After all their hours of flying, they need to get checked and repaired. If we had a base that could look at providing that service up north, the funding -- I am sure Members will agree with me the amount of funding we spend will stay in the North instead of flowing south and would no doubt be phenomenal. Therefore, I hope the Minister of Renewable Resources will support the proposed base. I do not believe the CL-215 base has to be taken out of your capital funding to be built. I certainly would like to see, and I fully support the concept, a base built on a lease-back purchase to this government. It allows the opportunity for business to co-ordinate and pursue a venture that is accommodating the concept of attempting to keep as many economic opportunities and many economic dollars in the North. I certainly hope that the Minister of Renewable Resources will consider my request.

Bison Ranch

In speaking to the chief of the band, I have agreed with his suggestion that the bison ranch be given to the band and the Metis only; half of the ownership to the band and half to the Metis. If this arrangement cannot be made, then the department should seriously consider taking it back. They should at least take it back until the HTA can get their act together. The current president of the HTA in Fort Smith has not had a meeting for at least two or three years. He is probably operating illegally. I know for sure that they would be in violation of the Societies Act. I certainly do not support that. I feel that the president should at least hold an HTA meeting.

Another issue is how the government continues to fund such organizations when they do not operate properly. I hope the Minister of Renewable Resources will seriously look at this particular HTA and make sure that they are operating properly before future funding is granted.

Housing

Mr. Speaker, another important issue that relates to my constituency is the issue of housing. This is government housing. Since the government is not reconsidering to reinstate the buy-back policy, and since the government is requesting that after one year any employee living in a government unit must make every effort to get their own unit, one way the government is doing this is by decreasing the housing allowance. I urge the government to sell government units as soon as possible, or else consider halting the reduction of housing allowances. I ask the Minister of Personnel to seriously look at the number of units deemed surplus in Fort Smith and find a proper method to be able to dispose of these units. However, I want to caution him to not place every unit on the market at once because he will flood the market which will cause terrible effects on the housing market in our community.

Health

To the Minister of Health, I sincerely hope that you take my advice under consideration of placing the chairmen of the health boards for a specific time frame because of the fact that in our community there have been many problems with respect to the health centre. I sometimes feel that it is the fault of the chairman in addition to the fault of the board. But I sometimes feel that when chairmen are appointed at pleasure, it gives them a chance to be able to deem that they can do whatever they want, because they are appointed at pleasure and I think that is unfair. So I hope he takes my advice under serious consideration.

Mr. Speaker, those are the areas of my constituency, but I do have other areas that I do want to speak about and I feel is important. I know when we were going forward for our cabinet seats, we had 10 minutes to be able to address many of the issues on the floor. At the time I did not feel 10 minutes was enough, but I went with the majority of Members.

Past Social Services Scandal

So I would like to speak on an area that I feel I have to get out of my mind and out of my system. I have to speak on the issue of what I call in this House the past "Social Services scandal". Over the past week I have been harping on the government and advised them of three social workers that did what you would call politically, an end run.

As a Minister I know that is one of the things that you have to watch out for. When you are a Minister and you want to do something, particularly the new Ministers, I certainly hope this does not deter you from making decisions and I hope you can address concerns that this House directs you to, but at the same time when you direct concerns, do not forget that you direct the bureaucrats to fulfill those concerns. Sometimes the bureaucrats simply do not like that.

There are many directions that I gave for change and naturally, particularly, so-called professional bureaucrats did not agree with it. People often wonder how I knew who dealt with these documents, how do I know how they got these documents and how do I know how they were released. Well today I am willing to tell the House.

First of all, Mr. Speaker, I want to stress to this House how disgusted I was to know that confidential files of a personal nature were released for public consumption. Highly confidential information, where people go in despair to a social worker, were released for public consumption. And if this is allowed and nothing is done, I believe that even as a Member, I will formulate a private Members' bill to avoid things like this from happening again. Because I would not like this to happen to anyone else, regardless of whether they be a Minister or a client of Social Services.

It scares me to think of who or what could be the next target if we do not address this issue. Could it be personal information that is released to the public or could it be medical files? So I want you to know that I am very concerned and to keep it from going on, that I will formulate a privacy act if the government does not consider one.

One of my purposes in politics, Mr. Speaker, is to try and correct injustices that are done to people and I certainly plan to continue working in that manner.

Now I did not tell the House as to how I got the information. In the middle of July I received a call from my dear sister -- thank goodness for families -- who works with Keith Dowling who is a regional vice-president in Fort Smith. He indicated that the union, particularly Dianne Strilaeff here in Yellowknife, received a lot of clients' files from Ann Enge. Dianne Strilaeff advised Ann to bring this information to Keith Dowling because he was the regional vice-president of the union in Fort Smith. But Keith did not want anything to do with this. At least he was level-headed enough to recognize that this was scandalous.

That was one of the ways that I found out. But I wondered, knowing that Ann Enge was the acting regional superintendent for Social Services in Fort Smith, I wondered how she got this information; how would she get clients' files? Then I was told by a worker in the Fort Smith area office, and it certainly was not Priscilla Hamann or Marj Sakundiak, how she got the information. She went into the area office and retrieved all the information with the assistance of her niece, Priscilla Hamann, and the other social worker in the office, Marj Sakundiak. Why would she take such information and send it to the public for public consumption?

Last spring, Mr. Speaker, I knew there were concerns in the Yellowknife area office and as a result I got an audit done and everyone knows today what happened. The former superintendent had many charges against her. Out of that office they also fired one social worker, Eileen Gruben, because she acted unprofessionally. So for fear of getting fired like her friend Eileen Gruben, Ann Enge felt that she would make sure that her Minister and her deputy minister and her senior staff would go down with her if she went down. But she did not get fired, she just got reprimanded.

It is so unprofessional and so unfortunate that she had to act in such an unprofessional and unethical manner. This is why I felt that I should bring it to the government's attention and I seriously, honestly feel that to avoid it for anyone else, that they should take into consideration to do something like this, because if they do not do anything about it, it will happen again and maybe it could be one of you Ministers that could get set up. So that is what happened, Mr. Speaker, and I am happy it is out now. I feel a lot better now. Now I will be more happy to deal with the government. I will not be as bitter and I will be more co-operative.

People wondered why I could not comment to the media. Because when I was a Minister I was advised, and I was given the wrong advice, now that I can see things, when you sit back and look at things, I got the wrong advice from the former Government Leader. He basically said not to say anything. So taking his advice and respecting him, I did not say anything. But now I will not stay quiet for anyone. The media even suggested that why I brought forth my budget last spring was because I had something to hide. Lord only knows, Mr. Speaker, I had nothing to hide in my budget. I brought forth my budget because I knew it, not because I had anything to hide. That is one thing I want the Ministers to know, not next year or the year after, I expect you guys to know your budgets and if you do not, I will question you.

Mr. Speaker, I mentioned that I had lack of guidance from the past Government Leader and I want to make a public statement in regard to how I have lost a lot of respect for the former Government Leader because of the fact that he was not what you call a leader. I want to commend our current Government Leader for giving the advice and guidance, and particularly to her new cabinet Ministers for attempting to make every effort to work as a team. You are doing a good job Nellie and I commend you, and I would like you to keep it up, because you will get a team out of the method that you are using.

---Applause

Appreciation Of Past Staff

Mr. Speaker, in my closing remarks I want to indicate that I want to thank Bernie Doyle, the deputy minister of Social Services, for his dedication, his loyalty and his service that he gave to the department. I know that he went through a difficult time this past summer. I want him to know that even though he went through a difficult time, he pulled through it and certainly has my utmost respect and I would like to indiciate this to Mr. Doyle. He is a very hard worker, a dedicated worker, and I certainly know that I am sure that I speak in confidence and that the Minister, even the current Minister of Social Services will probably agree with me, that he is an honest man; he is a hard worker and I am sure that he will be able to address the issues of social issues that we face in the North.