Before I begin with the orders of the day, I would like to read a letter from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, it is addressed to myself, as Speaker.

Dear, Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, the passage of Bill 34, supplementary appropriation Act No. 2, 1992-93, during the second Session of the 12th Legislative Assembly. Yours truly, D.L. Norris, Commissioner.

Also, I would like to recognize in the gallery this morning, the grade 11 law class from Sir John Franklin High School, and their instructor, Michael Madore.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later today, I will be tabling the Department of Health's implementation plan for recommendations made by the abortion service review committee.

All of the committee's recommendations have been accepted. The implementation plan was developed in collaboration with Stanton Yellowknife Hospital and regional health boards.

Many of the recommendations, especially those dealing with procedures at Stanton Yellowknife Hospital, have already been acted on. Other recommendations will take some time to implement.

The cost of implementing those recommendations, for which costing has been possible, is about $250,000 in 1992-93, with continuing costs of about $150,000 in succeeding years.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health wishes to acknowledge the cooperation and assistance of the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital, hospital and health boards, the Northwest Territories Council on the Status of Women, and N.W.T. professional organizations, in the development of this plan. Qujannamiik.

Ministers' statements. Mr. Whitford.

Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about the commentary given on C.B.C. radio on September 30. In this commentary, Danielle Whitworth argues that the federal government is pursuant in the policy of assimilation of aboriginal people, and that by agreeing to the proposed Charlottetown Accord, our leaders have been pulled, perhaps unwillingly, into this process.

Mr. Speaker, as a strong advocate of the Charlottetown Accord, and an aboriginal leader, I must disagree with Ms. Whitworth. It is my firm belief, that this accord will, for the first time since confederation, allow aboriginal people to begin to solve some of the problems that they are faced with in terms of health, housing, education, etc.

The entrenchment of self-government in the Constitution allows aboriginal people to implement their own solutions to those pressing problems. Unlike, Ms. Whitworth, I believe that assimilation occurs and is occurring because aboriginal people have no control over the process that shapes our own lives.

To a large extent our institution, programs, or services within aboriginal communities, whether they be health, justice, education or housing, have been based on European models. This is an assimilation. To stop this, we must reinstate our own value systems into our communities and organizations.

I believe that one step in this process is the realization of aboriginal self-government. Despite the flaws, I believe that the Charlottetown Accord presents a unique opportunity for aboriginal people to take some measures of control over their own lives through this self-government process.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, Ms. Whitworth argues that aboriginal women have been unjustly served by the accord and by male aboriginal leaders. That the accord will mean nothing more than the continued poverty and oppression of the rights of aboriginal women. Chief Wendy Grey of the Assembly of First Nations has suggested the opposite, that the women and the aboriginal women have never done that well under the Charter of Rights. This can only be an improvement.

Mr. Speaker, I can only speak from my perspective as an aboriginal person in the Northwest Territories, when I look around and see...

Mr. Gargan, you allotted time has lapsed. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would ask for unanimous consent to continue my statement.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays, please proceed, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and honourable Members. Mr. speaker, I can only speak from my perspective as an aboriginal person in the Northwest Territories. When I look around and see the increasing number of aboriginal leaders, who are women, leaders such as Nellie Cournoyea, Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Rosemarie Kuptana, Erna Landry, Mary Simon, and Bernadette Unka. I know that aboriginal women are in the forefront of the fight for aboriginal rights, at least in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to continue to respond to some of the remarks that have been made about my questions, but even more so, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to indicate to Members that on September 21, 1992, Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity, after hearing of the tragic situation that occurred here in Yellowknife.

I heard about, like all Members, that a trust fund had been established for the families who had suffered in the tragedy during the Royal Oak Mine disaster. I wrote to my constituents, Mr. Speaker, asking them to come to the aid of the families and the children of those miners who perished. Mr. Speaker, I asked my constituents, and in fact asked my leaders, to participate in contributing to the trust fund for the families.

Mr. Speaker, I can tell you today, that my constituents have contributed, or at least committed to over $2,000 to the trust fund.

---Applause

I hope, Mr. Speaker, this shows that there is compassion in Members of this House, compassion and understanding in other constituencies about the tragedies that involve the residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Oral questions, Mr. Lewis. Sorry, Members' statements, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over a week ago, I asked several questions about the proposed merger between Canadian Airlines International and Air Canada in question period, and the question is recorded in the unedited transcript as 777-12(2). I was very concerned at that time, when I asked Mr. Whitford about this proposed merger, to find that, in fact, this responsibility had been transferred to Mr. Pollard, the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, because of the huge economic impact this kind of merger would have on the residents of the Northwest Territories, in fact, to all of western Canada.

Mr. Speaker, one week from now, on October 9, the three senior officers of both airlines will be meeting in order to decide how this merger will work, who will be the senior executive officer, and to work out the details of this merger. Since, very clearly, the Government Leader, our Premier, has determined that this is of such a huge vital concern for all people in the Northwest Territories, that she has handed it over to her Minister of Finance and the Minister of Economic Development. I am somewhat alarmed to find that this government is the only government that, to date, has not responded to the requests of Canadian Airline International employees, who tried to get support all across the country, to save the airline and it disappoints me somewhat, that at least yesterday, we could not give them any kind of response.

So, it disappoints me that if it is such a huge issue for us and we recognize the impact it may have on us, that, to date, we have not responded to the requests of all the people that work for that airline to do something to help save it. Thank you.

Members' statements, Mr. Kakfwi.

Members' statements, Mr. Allooloo.

(Translation) Qujannamiik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I want to make a brief comment concerning the Tungavik land claims settlement, and their destination for self-government in the future.

Today, I was in my constituency, I mean I was there last week, in Igloolik, and they had many concerns about land claims. I want to say, Mr. Speaker, that our future and our own government is going to be our goal for the people from my region.

What I am trying to say to the people in our lands, on the day of election, that being November 3, 4, and 5, I urge them to vote "yes" because, of course, it would mean that if the "no" vote wins, we will not have our land claim, and as a result, we will not have our self-government in our future, which is our goal for 1992.

Today, Mr. Speaker, we are told that the aboriginal people of Nunavut are simply borrowing this land according to the laws of today. This land apparently belongs to the government. First, we want our own homeland, and that is why we want our own land claims.

We want legal recognition that this land is ours. The eligible voters will be aged 16 and up. I will urge them to vote "yes", so that we can have our own lands in the future because, as of yesterday, we are simply borrowing this land. Thank you.

Members' statements, Mr. Pudluk.

Qujannamiik. (Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to the comments made by my colleague, the Member for Amittuq, there are tours being done by the chief and committee. This is for our future, and it is very important. It is toward the vote.

If I was able to join them, I would be prepared to go along with the tours in my constituency. At this time, it will, of course, be up to the people to vote whichever way they prefer, be it "yes" or "no", but I think that more people should vote "yes" as opposed to the "no" votes.

We have been working towards this for a very long time, and we are trying to look at it from the positive side. I think we will be better organized, and that is the way we are trying to look at it. When they decided on the boundary issue, the majority of the vote was for it. The positive vote prevailed, and this is another confirmation of that earlier vote, which is to decide on a positive vote.

We have to look at our past as well as our future, and we have to remember our descendants who will still be here many years after we are underground. There will be a better future for them, more opportunities for them, and that is the way that we want to vote. I urge the people from my constituency to vote.

I tell you there should be more of you to vote "yes" in the upcoming Nunavut Land Claims Ratification Vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Members' statements, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Also, on the same issue, I have some concerns. The tour was in Lake Harbour recently. I am not sure if they are still there, but I send my apologies to my constituents for not being able to be at their communities, because I was interested in participating with the completion of the budget.

I have some concerns I have to address on this issue, so I want to send my apologies to the people in my constituency, particularly people from Cape Dorset and Lake Harbour. If I leave today, maybe I will be able to charter in, but I understand that they will be meetings in Lake Harbour over the weekend, and guess my constituencies will be using their freedom to vote either way. I also remind them that it is good to vote the "yes" vote.

I also want to reiterate my apologies. I was not quite sure what was happening on the land claims issue. Be that as it may, I know the people involved are working very hard toward it, and I cannot help it if I am not there. I am sure that the people on the ratification committee are informing the people, as they need to be informed, and it will be up to each individual to vote the way they want.

I apologize that I will not be in that constituency. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Nerysoo on September 30, 1992, regarding consultation with Aklavik homeowners regarding flood damages.

During the flood in Aklavik in June 1992, the Regional Emergency Coordinating Committee was mobilized. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is the Government department mandated to coordinate emergency response and assistance.

The Department of Public Works provided support to this committee in several ways. One of the tasks during this period was to assist M.A.C.A. and the hamlet to carry out post-flood damage assessments. Following the instructions of the emergency coordinator, which was the regional superintendent of M.A.C.A., D.P.W. worked directly with Aklavik's senior administrative officer, and obtained a list of properties that were damaged by the flood.

Residents of Aklavik were encouraged by the hamlet to report to the hamlet any property damages that occurred during the flood. Based on the hamlet's list of people that had flood damage, the D.P.W. Area Maintenance Officer and the Settlement Maintenance Supervisor visited these people to determine the extent of their damages. D.P.W. then prepared a Flood Damage Assessment Report which included cost estimates of the damages. D.P.W. sent this report to the Superintendent of M.A.C.A. on July 2 for their review with the hamlet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a return to an oral question asked by Ms. Marie-Jewell on September 10. Mr. Speaker, on September 10, 1992, the honourable Member from Thebacha sought confirmation on the number of Saskatchewan doctors involved in the review of medical services, at the Fort Smith Health Centre.

With a knowledge of the size of the facility, and the services provided, no surgery or anaesthesia, and only low-risk obstetrics, the Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons drew upon its extensive experience in conducting such reviews, and selected two physicians to complete the review.

No written change was made to the terms of reference to state that two physicians, rather than four or five, would conduct a review. This decision to reduce the team to two members was made in advance, solely by the Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons, and communicated to the health centre more than three weeks before the review. No objection was made by the administration board, or medical staff.

The number of physician hours the Saskatchewan college used to perform the review is consistent with the estimate of the number of physician hours quoted to the health centre by the Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons. In the view of the Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons to have had four or five physicians perform the review would have been unnecessary and very costly to the health centre.

The Executive Director of the Fort Smith Health Centre acted on the motion of the board of management of the Fort Smith Health Centre to have the view conducted by the Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons. While it was not explicitly stated in the minutes of the meeting it was implied that the Executive Director should initiate the drafting of the terms of reference.

The medical staff and the board's legal counsel had an opportunity to review the terms of reference before they were provided to the Saskatchewan college as final. Each member of the board was given a copy of the final terms of reference. Thank you.

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Antoine on September 30, 1992 regarding discontinuing use of leg hold traps.

Present statistics show that between 74-80 percent of the wild fur taken in Canada is sold in Europe. Without this market, there will be no fur industry.

The European economic community recently passed legislation that will come into effect on January 1, 1995. At that time, it will be illegal to import fur from any jurisdiction that still allows the use of the leg hold trap for any of the thirteen species. They are: beaver, coyote, lynx, raccoon, fisher, marten, otter, wolf, bobcat, muskrat, badger, mink, and Russian sable.

Originally, this legislation was to come into effect in 1992. However, because of successful lobbying by the Fur Institute of Canada, Indigenous Survival International, Members of our government, and many others, the European economic community agreed to delay this legislation for three years.

By changing the way our trappers trap we will be ready to keep our share in the European market after 1995. The change over to quick kill traps is a small price to pay to keep trapping alive in the Northwest Territories.

In 1988, knowing of the European Economic Community legislation, all Canadian wildlife Ministers agreed to implement 12 changes recommended by the Fur Institute of Canada to keep trapping a viable lifestyle for all Canadians. Our government decided to phase in those 12 recommendations over four years. Other governments have also been introducing these changes.

We chose to delay the requirement for quick kill traps for small fur bearing animals until the third year of our four year plan to change trapping regulations. This allowed us time to inform our trappers and show them how to use new traps. Throughout this time, trap exchange workshops have been offered throughout the western territories. To date over 30,000 quick kill traps have been exchanged and 1,600 trappers have attended workshops.

As well, we have publicly advertised our intention to require to use quick kill traps for small fur bearers for the past three years.

The new legislation came into effect on October 1, 1992 on the use of leg hold traps for small fur bearing animals. The regulation states, "while hunting fur bearing animals, no person shall use a trap on land, other than a quick kill trap, box or cage, for beaver, fisher, marten, mink, muskrat, skunk, squirrel, weasel, or wolverine."

The use of the leg hold trap will still be legal in drowning sets for aquatic species, and for large fur bearers like fox, wolf and lynx.

Next year, we will introduce the last change which is that all first time trappers will need to take a trapper training course.

During a live phone-in program held by C.B.C. radio on September 30, 80 percent of the trappers that called in were in favour of the new legislation and supported the use of quick kill trapping systems.

The department's regional staff will continue to assist trappers with the change over. Thank you.

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Nerysoo on September 17, 1992.

There were no expenditures on flood damage incurred in the communities referred to the by honourable Member. However, the 1992 spring breakup in the western Arctic led to the activation of emergency response procedures in several communities in designated flood risk areas on the Hay, Liard and Mackenzie Rivers to prepare for potential flooding or the evacuation of residents.

As a part of these activations, the Department of Social Services expended $1,466.22 in Hay River and the Hay River Reserve. No G.N.W.T. departments incurred expenses in Fort Liard during the flood alert period. The Town of Hay River expended $55,834 in flood preparations in 1992 and some of these expenditures may have been eligible for cost-sharing under the flood control assistance policy. Thank you.

Returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a long question, so when my time is up, just let me know.

My question is to the Minister of Justice. I am concerned about the problems experienced in the eastern Arctic with respect to solvent abuse. Recently, the Hamlet Council in Cape Dorset discussed the fact that alcohol, and solvents, are both problems.

Although the Liquor Act gives us some weight to control the amount of liquor shipped to the community, we have no way to effectively control the availability of solvents.

In the past, the idea has been raised that the Government of the Northwest Territories should develop legislation to control the use of solvents, and better counselling services should be developed for solvent abusers.

This idea has been put forward in the past by Pauktuutit and by several alcohol and drug projects. Can the Minister of Justice indicate whether his department would be able to introduce legislation that creates stiffer penalties for abusers and for people who supply solvents to abusers?

One of the main problems we encounter is that solvent abusers and their families resist going for counselling. Is the Minister willing to consider introducing legislation that would allow a judge or a justice of the peace to make an order forcing the solvent abusers to receive counselling by experts?

This has been a concern for a long time, so I wanted to bring this up. Often solvent abusers cannot change their ...

After you have actually asked a question, then it is not appropriate to carry on with a preamble. I think you have made yourself very clear, and Minister of Justice, would you like to respond?

Oral question, supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am just trying to give some ideas to the government as to what should be done because this is a big concern in the communities, and this was discussed also during the Pauktuutit Conferences. I know that this is a concern all over the Northwest Territories, not only in Cape Dorset.

If legislation cannot be made, I think there should be ways of dealing with these problems to try to stop the people from abusing solvents. I know that all over Canada there have been deaths with regard to solvent abuse. Will this be dealt with in the future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our officials from the department and also from the municipalities have concluded talks. It will be up to the politicians now to finish the deal. The paperwork is very well prepared for me to take to Cabinet but we have not had time, really, to deal with the agreement. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In short, yes, but I would like to conclude the arrangement as soon as possible.

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs. In the Constitution Act, section 35 recognizes the rights of aboriginal peoples of Canada, and under section 35-1, existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed. In section 35-2 of this act, aboriginal peoples of Canada include the Indian, Inuit and Metis peoples of Canada.

My question to the Minister is, does the Minister recognize the Metis as distinct, aboriginal peoples?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

Yes, I would like the Premier, who is taking on the responsibility for the Economic Development and Tourism portfolio, a question. In light of the fact that both gold mines in Yellowknife are going to be operating with far, far fewer people in future, in fact, we all recognize that these are non-renewable resources. Eventually, they will no longer be with us, and since our government has already begun to decentralize functions out of Yellowknife and plans to do more. What is there in the economic plan of this government, as revealed in that budget, to help the area that I, and other Members in this Assembly, represent, so that we can have an economic future in this city?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I take it that the question relates to Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, in all the government's involvement, and even with decentralization, certainly with Yellowknife, it continues to grow. I do not think that there has been any decline. We heard, just the other day, about the lay-off of Nerco staff, miners, and workers.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to suggest that, even though Yellowknife might have some foreboding feeling about being left out, or not being considered as a viable economy, that is not the case. Mr. Speaker, Yellowknife will continue to be a central area, which will benefit, much like Edmonton, in terms of forming other avenues to northern parts of the country.

As we develop any kind of economic approach in other parts of the Northwest Territories, it seems that there is always something left and some role for Yellowknife, in whatever happens, particularly in the western part of the Northwest Territories. Certainly, what I would see is that, with the continuing exploration of mining, that Yellowknife will play a big role in the supply area, and a focal point in distribution.

We see, even with hydro development, a lot of the spin-off benefits will come to Yellowknife mainly because of the infrastructure that is here. In terms of any other kinds of development, it seems that Yellowknife has a role to play, and does get spin-offs as a support community to other communities in the western part of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Recognizing the fact that the economy of this community, originally was based upon a non-renewable resource that would eventually disappear, and in light of the fact that much of the development that has taken place over the last 25 years has been as a result of the growth of government. I would like to ask the Minister, in view of the fact that we know that this kind of economy will eventually decline at some point in the future, what is there specifically in this budget, in that economic development budget, that recognizes that this is a capital city, which is of paramount importance for the economy of the whole of the Northwest Territories?

What, specifically in this budget, has this government done to ensure the economic well-being of this community?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I guess that question can be answered so many different ways. In terms of government, specifically, whether anyone is planning it or not, even though there are decentralization and some work-force adjustments, because of the population and the forced growth, there are 80 new positions that have been developed in Yellowknife, in education and different places, because of the general formulas that we have.

In terms of specific areas, I think that when we go to the Business Incentive Policy, many of the companies in Yellowknife have their headquarters here. So, even though there are other companies in the Northwest Territories, the companies that exist in Yellowknife automatically benefit from the Business Incentive Policy, because it happens that the major focus of their home operating base is in Yellowknife.

In terms of transportation routing into other areas, Yellowknife continues to thrive, because everything passes through Yellowknife. If we do something for Inuvik, Yellowknife generally benefits from it. There has been no direction to change the course of where medical patients from the Kitikmeot go, so the increased benefits, better facilities, comes to Yellowknife, and as a result, there has been the Kitikmeot Boarding Home, in which people come here, they enjoy the city, and take advantage of the business development. Also, because of the Yellowknife hospital, another facility was developed for the Dene people to come here, which in turn, Yellowknife benefits from the fact that it is a focal point. So, I think that no matter what we do, being a capital city, and one of the communities with most of the population, and most of the enhanced facilities, I do not believe that anything that is done outside Yellowknife, Yellowknife does not benefit in some way or another.

There are some economic proposals that are coming forward. I cannot be specific like Mr. Pollard could be to you, but I think there are some domestic type things that are being planned, and people are taking part.

I know that, as well, the aboriginal women's group has joined together with Robinson's Trucking to put up a type of motor hotel in Yellowknife next to the airport. I cannot exactly tell you point by point, but there are activities here that other people, and aboriginal groups, have established themselves, out of Yellowknife.

So, I believe that whether specifically, or indirectly, Yellowknife tends to benefits on all counts. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

I will just follow up then. My final supplementary, Mr. Speaker, on one issue raised by the Minister.

Since we do have a Business Incentive Policy, I know in contracting local communities which have local businesses, they are allowed a 15 percent kind of discount, if you like, or reduction, and if it is a local group they have an extra five percent.

Will the Government Leader assure me that policy of this government will apply for those companies that apply on contracts in Yellowknife, that they will also get that five percent extra, since they would be local companies that would be bidding on government contracts, because that is the government policy. Will she assure me that will continue to happen, in the future, for Yellowknife companies.

Mrs. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I think that the word was assure, you know, and I think that I can say that what exists today, I can assure that there is no plans to change the policy to reap benefits, or giving benefits to Yellowknife contractors. The Minister responsible would like to add on to my comments. Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to assure the Member that the spirit and intent of the Business Incentive Policy will be implemented, and the spirit and intent of the policy is to equalize things. To give northerners 15 percent so that they are equal in bidding against their southern counterparts, and the five percent local preference is to equalize for local communities, when it is implemented.

For example, there is a portion of the policy that says it has to follow the spirit and intent of the policy, that is to create jobs for northerners, and to equalize it. So, in some cases the five percent local preference is waved in order to follow the spirit and intent of the policy, and in those cases, for example, a bridge contract where the contract may be $1 million, and six or seven hundred thousand dollars of that contract, is steel that is manufactured in Edmonton, that portion will not get the five percent, for the simple reason all bidders have to bring it out of the same area. Thank you.

Oral questions, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question to the Minister of the Housing Corporation in regards to the H.A.P. Housing Program.

It is very appealing for people, especially when there is a shortage of public housing. I seem to notice now, or be more aware, that the people who get H.A.P. housing, it is not because they make errors in the building, but sometimes they are short of lumber.

Around 1980, I know that they were applying for H.A.P. housing, and if they were short of materials, then they were able to get more. Now adays, even when they are short of materials, even if they ask, it seems to be getting harder to obtain the material that they are short of, because they can only own it after five years of living in it.

I know it is not just with the housing authority, or the recipients. I wonder if this has been dealt with, if they can provide more material if there is a shortage. Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the H.A.P. clients receive their material package, they have a materials list that accompanies the package, and they are supposed to check off the list all the materials they have. If there is any shortage they are supposed to report it to the Housing Corporation and the Housing Corporation will ensure that shortage of material is given to them. Thank you.

Oral questions, supplementary Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A lot of times, when they start building, they do not open all the material right away. They seem to be treated differently now. I wonder if he can find out about to this?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be happy to look into any specific matter the Member has, maybe later on today when we have a meeting, he can advise me of specifics, and I will take care of it. Thank you.

Oral questions, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Renewable Resources regarding the use of humane traps, or quick kill traps.

In his statement today, or response to a question, the Minister stated that there will be a delay in the exchange of traps, but I have got a concern that it is becoming costly for trappers to participate in the exchange program, and I know it is going to be law that they do. In a lot of cases, new traps are not readily available, and they are especially not readily available in the size that they need for the different animals that they trap.

My question to the Minister is, can the Minister assure trappers that there are going to be enough traps of the sizes that are adequate for their needs?

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this point, I cannot assure the Member that there will be enough traps available. For that reason, the manufacturers are manufacturing as fast as they can. We were able to get, so far, 300,000 traps for our trappers. I think, for a short period of time, there could very well be a shortage of traps. I am sorry, Mr. Speaker, we are able to get 30,000 quick kill traps for our trappers. Mr. Speaker, there could very well be a shortage of traps for a short period of time, until the manufacturers are able to produce enough traps for our trappers. We will try to make sure that there are enough traps, but that depends on the manufacturers. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

I guess it just expounds on the problem that we are trying to introduce new laws and new legislation, and we do not have all the resources available for the trappers. One of the complaints that I have received from trappers, is that it has costing them money. They do not have enough traps and they are obliged to trade in their existing traps. The new traps are not available, or if they are, they are too heavy, too bulky, as was mentioned by Mr. Gargan the other day.

What financial assistance is available to trappers to compensate them for loss of trapping if they do not have the proper traps available, the new traps?

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a trapper exchange program that the department runs. The trapper will give the old leg hold traps to our Renewable Resources, or in some cases to the Hunters and Trappers Association. The trapper is then given the new traps, the quick kill traps. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

It seems to me then, that this is an opportunity for entrepreneurs in the north. When I was in the business of trying to promote economic development, there were some investigations on manufactured traps in the north. Has there been any further work done in this regard, to look at the possibilities, or feasibilities of manufacturing traps in the Northwest Territories?

Mr. Allooloo.

Yes, I believe there was a study done to see if the traps could be manufactured in the Northwest Territories. I will work with the Economic Development Minister to see how far that study has gone and how viable it is to produce traps in the Northwest Territories. I am sure it could be a boost to our economy. Thank you.

This is your last supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Will the Minister please provide Members with the research and information that is available, and what he finds in this regard?

Mr. Allooloo.

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mr. Pudluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask Madam Premier this question. In regard to the regional councils, I know there was legislation established in September 1983, and also the established their policy for funding in July 1984. Today, looking at the operating and maintenance budget, there will be a cut of $128,000. What is the government's planning strategy in the future on the regional councils?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, like every other part of the government, we looked at the areas where there could be some basic cuts without harming the operation of various boards and agencies.

On the regional councils, there was a 10 percent cut, except for Baffin, who received a higher decrease. What we made sure of, was that each regional organization could operate, could have the meetings they require, and some support. There is no plan to take away how they operate and under what mandate they operate. All the cuts were done, basically, for fiscal restraint and each region was given enough money to have the same number of meetings and support staff to keep them going. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

(Translation) Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker. I have a question to the Minister of Justice. In the smaller communities, if there are people who have to go to court, the court circuit usually comes to the community, and it takes them a long time. Once they get into the community, a lot of times they are there for only half a day. Even if there are a lot of

people that have to be dealt with, a lot of the times, they do not complete the community.

Can this, in the future, be given consideration, that once the courts go into the communities, at least, if they could stay overnight, then they would be more appreciated from my constituents. Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. A question to the Minister of Housing. Can the Minister advise this House as to what active strategy he is taking to lobby the federal government, with regard to the social housing dilemma. When the issue was raised, a motion was passed, many of the native organizations expressed their support. I am just wondering what action has the Minister taken to incorporate all the advice and assistance that he was offered?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since we had that debate in the Assembly, I have written to the Minister responsible, the honourable Elmer MacKay. The Premier has also written to the Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney. I have also put together information packages for all the major national aboriginal organizations, and presented that to them while they are here in the House.

I am also putting together the packages for all of the ordinary Members, and all of the other native organizations in the Northwest Territories, so that we can all be attacking from the same front. I will keep the Members informed as we move along. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

That is all well and nice, I guess, to provide everybody with information, but a lot of us are aware of the issue and the concerns. I guess I am looking for action and whether or not the Minister has called the Prime Minister, or the federal Minister of Housing, or have any people gone down to lobby them directly, in this regard.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been in contact with the Minister responsible for the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the honourable Elmer MacKay. I have talked to him on the phone. Our officials have gone to Winnipeg, I believe they are there now, or they did go last week, to meet with other jurisdictions, to see if we can come to any understanding of where we would go from here.

As the Member is aware, all the provincial jurisdictions did support us, and I have also written to the honourable Elmer MacKay to ask him if there was any surplus of funding with the C.M.H.C. programs. Around this time of year, it so happens that some provincial jurisdictions do not spend all of their C.M.H.C. funding, so if there is any surplus, he would look at reallocating that surplus to the territories. Thank you.

Oral questions. New question, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Education. Since he is not here, I will direct it to the Government Leader. The other day in this House, I raised some questions about hiring practices in the Department of Education. The Minister, in one of his responses, said that these arrangements were part of the department's human resource plan.

My question, I guess, is whether, or not, this House can have a copy of the Department of Education's human resource plan.