I would like to call this House to order. Item 2, Ministers' Statements. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Don Morin will be absent from the House today and tomorrow. As you are aware, he will be attending meetings with the federal Minister of Housing. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' Statements. Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last year the employment division of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Program held a conference called "Discovering Choices" to encourage an interest in math and science among young women. Workshops included archaeology, garden design, dieting and fitness, wildlife, carpentry and architecture.

The conference was a success, and the participants enjoyed themselves a great deal. This year's conference, which is being held today, holds an added attraction: the guest speaker is Dr. Roberta Bondar, Canada's only female astronaut. With a long list of accomplishments in science, Dr. Bondar is an excellent role model for the participants. She has earned a doctorate in neurobiology and a doctor of medicine degree. She was selected as one of six Canadian astronauts in 1983. In January of this year, she flew on the space shuttle "Discovery", where she performed more than forty experiments.

Dr. Bondar will have a great deal to share with the conference participants. I am sure the young women will be interested in learning about the challenges she has faced as a woman pursuing a career in science. For instance, a high school guidance counsellor once asked Dr. Bondar's mother to discourage her from taking math and science because he did not think she could succeed. Fortunately, Dr. Bondar's family supported her decision to continue. During the years she spent as a university student, she also benefitted from the encouragement of a number of women scientists.

I feel that with the proper support, many young women now in the N.W.T. education system can also find interesting and fulfilling careers in science and technology.

Dr. Bondar's trip to the N.W.T. includes Fort Smith and Iqaluit, so students in those communities can also benefit from hearing about her experiences.

Mr. Speaker, as you know, Dr. Bondar will be make a presentation to the Legislative Assembly during coffee break this afternoon. I am sure we all look forward to meeting her, and making her feel welcome in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' Statements. Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Ningark.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to emphasize the situation of people who go through the Social Assistance Program. I have been told by my constituency that there will be no more meetings. We cannot ignore the things we are supposed to do. The knowledge of those who are on social assistance can be to the government's advantage. They can make the government aware of what they know. The government can in turn explain the funding to the recipients. This has been a grave concern to people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Mr. Lewis.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was going to make a Member's statement about the media. I got carried away on the discussion on wildlife. Today I will just make a few comments about different editorials which have appeared over the last while.

I cannot claim to be a professional journalist, Mr. Speaker, but I have worked in that field. What I always remember about it, is a crusty old man telling me to go out and get the facts. We do not want your opinion, you are 20 years old, just get the facts and let other people make their opinion on the basis of what you write down. Also, you are not going to be a Shakespeare or a Mark Twain. You are not supposed to be creative, you are supposed to tell it the way it is, dig deep, so that when you write it down, you are writing the truth.

Mr. Speaker, from time to time over the past several years, I have seen all kinds of mistakes and I understand the problems associated with trying to get a newspaper out, and to meet deadlines. Sometimes you get the impression that when the editor tells the reporter to go out and get the stuff, it then becomes the editor's job to sort out the wheat from the chaff. Unfortunately, they decide from time to time to print the chaff instead of the wheat. That poses a real problem for many of us.

However, the press has a very important job to do and we should not underestimate it. It is very important that we do have a Member that stands up on a Point of Privilege and says "why did you not speak to me about this?" Get the real story, go to the source, get your information, check it once, check it twice, check it three times if you have to, but get it right. The more you do this, the more people pay attention to you.

For example, when I am told of the massive amount of money that I make in this business, I just laugh, because no one has ever gone to the Clerk and asked him how much money I make to do this job. However, you are quite in order. If you want to go and ask Mr. Hamilton exactly how much money I make, I can tell you, to quote another very famous creative person, " it is grossly exaggerated, the amount ...

Mr. Lewis, your time has lapsed.

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude. Are there any nays? There are no nays, please proceed, Mr. Lewis.

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to accept all the slings and arrows which are thrown my way in conducting the business which I was elected to do. I believe that politicians know that from the beginning of time they have been targets because in this business you have about as much independence as a man who is in jail. That is the kind of independence you have. You are captive. You are pulled this way and that way. You are asked to make difficult choices and difficult decisions.

However, knowing that we are all human beings and we all have weaknesses, I believe that it is very important that the press do the job that they are supposed to do, which is to report to the public so the people can make up their own mind. I know that Mr. Sigvaldason is a member of Press Council of Alberta and is proud of it. I know that it is open to every journalist to become a member of the National Association of Journalism which is bound by a code of ethics. I wonder how many members of this press have actually taken out a membership with the association and agreed to be bound by the code of ethics, which in fact dictates how you should go about your business?

I challenge the press to join up and see what the code of ethics is really all about. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make a statement today about the Native Women's Training Centre in Inuvik. This centre has been active in the community of Inuvik for almost a decade and has an excellent record of students completing their studies. Students completing the program at this centre have gone on to permanent job placements, apprenticeship programs, and further education at the college level.

There is a real demand for basic adult education programs in the north and particularly in the western Arctic. This demand is for programs which meet the needs of the whole person and the Native Women's Training Centre is doing its best to address this need. For the 1992-93 program year the Native Women's Training Centre in Inuvik is delivering a multi-faceted program which accommodates 16 full-time students and 2 part-time volunteer students. The program is open to all adults over the age of 17 and is comprised of four components: life skills, academic upgrading, basic job readiness, and job placements.

The Life Skills Program offers students alternative methods of communication and different ways of coping with day-to-day living. The core of the academic program is English literacy and strong emphasis on reading, writing and mathematical skills. The centre strongly believes that all learning must be relevant to the learner, and as a result the students utilize writing to recount personal experiences and attempt a variety of writing formats, as well as some projects involving going out into the community to research issues of importance to the students. This year, with the assistance of students, aboriginal languages are being incorporated into the language program. Students who speak an aboriginal language bring in new vocabulary for other students. Future projects will involve publishing stories in English, in Inuvialuqtun and Gwich'in. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to continue his statement. Is that agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Proceed, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi. Whenever appropriate students take part in courses offered within the community. This past month three students successfully completed a two week training course at Arctic College for teachers of aboriginal languages, and another student is considering a Firearm Safety Program offered through Renewable Resources and Arctic College. I would like commend the Native Women's Training Centre for making the effort to work in collaboration with other training institutions and agencies, and I also commend Local Pathway Sports for providing funding to this program in the community, Mahsi Cho.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' Statements. Item 4, Returns to Oral Questions. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Richard Nerysoo on November 24 of the Honourable Titus Allooloo, Minister of Renewable Resources, and the reply is regarding the location of the replacement traps. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Renewable Resources regrets any misunderstandings that lead trappers to believe that replacement traps were no longer available. On Sunday, November 22, additional traps were provided to Arctic Red River. All regional staff have been advised to notify their supervisors if trap stocks are low, so they can be resupplied. The department is monitoring this daily and will respond on an urgent priority basis. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 4, Returns to Oral questions. Item 5, Oral Questions. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Health. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Health tabled in this House a copy of the letter from Dr. Earle Covert sent to him. I would like to ask the Minister, under the Medical Profession Act, do the members of the Board of Inquiry receive an honorarium?

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Covert's letter indicates that he has not ever received payment for fulfilling his duties as president of the Board of Inquiry. So I can answer from that the president does not receive an honorarium. I do not know whether any other members of the board receive any payment other than expenses, I will have to take that question as notice. Dr. Covert has stated that he has never been paid anything while he served in that capacity. Thank you.

Are you taking that question as notice? Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Finance in regard to the national transportation strategy funding. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Finance if the funding that the federal government has announced which is up to $25 billion dollars for national transportation or highway strategy, is for real or is an election ploy, since the federal government is going to have an election within the next ten to 12 months? I was wondering if this is real funding or if it is some ploy for the election? Thank you.

This question is for the Minister of Finance if he wants to answer, although the Minister of Finance has no control on the federal government's budgets. Would you like to answer any of those questions, Mr. Pollard?

Mr. Speaker, I do not know if the federal government has that amount of money at its disposal, but I would guess not, from what they are saying about their deficit position. There is no question that number has been talked about, it has been in the papers and in the television news reports. I think it is speculation by people who believe that the federal government is going to announce something, so I cannot say whether they have the money or not. At the present time, we believe there is no solid program that the federal government is prepared to go with, and perhaps when Mr. Mazankowski makes his statement on December 2, we may have some clearer indications from them. I said yesterday, there was a proposal to the Minister of Transport with regard to cost-sharing or formula funding from the federal government and that has not, at the present time, gone anywhere, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, Oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister responsible for Social Services and I will be frank and direct. Mr. Speaker, I wonder when the Minister will fund the gathering of all the Social Services Appeal Committees within the region of Kitikmeot, which have not had the opportunity to meet for the last few years. I would like to know when the Minister will be able to fund such a gathering? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, that concern has not come to my attention, but I would be happy to look into it as the Member suggests. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, Oral Questions, Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Health. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Health tabled the letter from Dr. Covert and, Mr. Speaker, after reading the letter, quite frankly I was appalled. I recognize, Mr. Speaker, this particular professional is currently undergoing a malpractice suit and is not guilty until proven guilty. However, Mr. Speaker, I believe the Minister missed the whole point of my concern and probably the concern of my colleague from the Mackenzie Delta.

The Board of Inquiry has significant authority over a medical professional's licence and the board may decide to suspend or revoke a physician's licence, in which case their ruling can only be appealed by the Supreme Court. So I would like to ask the Minister, how can the Minister justify to this House the re-appointment of the president of the Board of Inquiry, Dr. Covert, while he is currently defending himself against a malpractice suit?

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Covert was re-appointed as president of the Board of Inquiry by me this fall, long before the issue of this civil litigation came to my attention or was reported to the public. So it was something I did not even know about when the re-appointment was made. So that is how I can justify re-appointing Dr. Covert. I did not even know about this issue, nor was it in the public domain when the re-appointment was made, which I believe was in August.

Thank you, Supplementary, Member from Thebacha.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister has indicated that the re-appointment happened some time this fall, according to the letter that he sent to Dr. Covert. I believe it happened September 2, which he clarified last week. From my understanding, the litigation was going on for years. The point I am trying to make is that recognizing the authority that this Board of Inquiry has on any physician's licence in the Northwest Territories, in their ruling, how can he justify to this

House, a re-appointment of the president of the Board of Inquiry?

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the Member is concerned about the inquiry which has been initiated with respect to a physician who is her constituent. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Covert has stepped aside from sitting on this particular inquiry. He will have no involvement in the matter which is of concern to the Member. He has, therefore, for reasons he outlined in the House, taken away any cause for concern or criticism or the appearance of bias on the part of the honourable Member. So, Mr. Speaker, with the greatest of respect to the honourable Member, the problem has been solved. Dr. Covert has stepped aside from this hearing and I do not know what the Member is asking me to justify. It has been fixed up, I would have thought, to the Member's satisfaction. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a supplementary. Mr. Speaker, throughout my questioning, I never did mention Dr. Viswalingam, my constituent, and I did not mention him during this line of questioning mainly because I was trying to raise a point with the Minister which, obviously, he has not taken into account. He does not seem to understand.

I tried to raise a point to the Minister that a physician who is currently in a position of authority, is also currently defending himself in a malpractice suit.

I want to know why the Minister is only allowing him to step aside from the Viswalingam case and is not requesting his resignation as the president of the Board of Inquiry under this Medical Profession Act that he appointed him to or, at the very least, removing him from the board until his lawsuit is completed. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, perhaps I should explain that I am not allowing Dr. Covert to do anything. I reported to the House that he had advised me that he is stepping aside from duties with respect to the medical Board of Inquiry that was initiated. So I have simply noted and reported to the Assembly that action.

Mr. Speaker, I think the Member is suggesting that further action should be taken. I only need to point out that there is no requirement in our laws or, indeed, in the laws of any other jurisdiction in Canada, that a physician sitting on a board of inquiry shall not be subject to any civil litigation. That is not a requirement of the laws of the Northwest Territories. So, as far as the law is concerned, Mr. Speaker, there is no reason why Dr. Covert should not hold that office. He is not disqualified under the law. So, that is why I have not taken the action the Member suggested. There would be no basis in law for doing that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Member from Thebacha.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to quote on my final supplementary, from the Medical Profession Act, under section 36. I quote, "the Board of Inquiry shall conduct its proceedings in accordance with the rules of natural justice." I wonder where the natural justice is being done? However, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, recognizing that the Board of Inquiry should be unbiased or, at the very least, its appearance should be unbiased, does the Minister not feel he is placing the board's integrity in jeopardy when it has such authority over any physician's licence in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I would be concerned about the integrity of the Board of Inquiry set up under the Medical Profession Act, if M.L.A.s in this Legislature raised questions about the qualifications of persons to serve on the inquiry, based on factors that are not set out in the Medical Profession Act, could be used to remove duly appointed persons from those quasi-judicial functions? I would be concerned about the integrity of the Board of Inquiry if its operations in any way became politicized, Mr. Speaker.

If the law is being met and if the Members of this board, or any other quasi-judicial board, meet the requirements of the law, Mr. Speaker, we need not go any further and question the qualifications or their standing. That would be an attack on the integrity and independence of such a board, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 5, Oral Questions. New question, Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Speaker, I have a new question for the Minister of Health. Mr. Speaker, the Minister for Health should be concerned about the Medical Profession Act that he should be conducting himself under, as the Minister. He is responsible to ensure this act is fulfilled.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, how can he say to the public that justice is being done to this process of the Board of Inquiry, when he is allowing a physician who has a malpractice suit against him to be able to be appointed to that board?

The way I heard it, this question is still related to the previous questioning and three supplementaries. At this time I will allow Mr. Patterson to reply. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I think the honourable Member said it herself earlier. Under our system of law with regard to criminal charges, there is the presumption of innocence. This means that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty. I would suggest the same, Mr. Speaker, with regard to civil litigation. The Member is presuming the end result in questioning the qualifications of a physician who is subject to a lawsuit.

Mr. Speaker, I am told that doctors with significant practices extending over periods of years, and in Dr. Covert's case it has been 10 or 15 years, as a matter of course are involved in litigation with patients. This is not at all uncommon in the medical profession. It is an occupational hazard. Medical specialists are routinely involved in five, 10 or 15 lawsuits in a year. They are insured and prepared for that.

Mr. Speaker, for the Member to suggest that one lawsuit means that a physician in the Northwest Territories is guilty of malpractice, and should be seen to be incompetent and therefore incapable of judging his peers, is simply not fair. Doctors are regularly involved in this kind of lawsuit and it is often settled or dealt with in a routine manner. It is improper for the Member to suggest that it reflects on the competence of that physician to serve the public in the medical Board of Inquiry.

I reject the imputation of guilt and incompetence which the Member is suggesting, especially since the litigation has only been commenced and has not been concluded. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister how he expects the public to have confidence in the Medical Profession Act regarding the professional peer reviews ability of this particular president, and of the process, when he is willing to allow his decision on appointment to stay in effect?

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Covert is qualified, according to the laws of this Legislature, and the Medical Profession Act, to sit as the president of the Board of Inquiry. If I were to arbitrarily decide because of questions in this Legislature that he was somehow unfit, Mr. Speaker, it would be extremely difficult to find another physician in the Northwest Territories who would be willing to serve in such an atmosphere of politicization of the quasi-judicial process. Secondly, I think we would have to scrutinize anyone else who was asked to serve whether or not there was any litigation past or pending which might be a bar to him serving or continue to serve. In effect, Mr. Speaker, I think it would go to the very ability of the Medical Profession Act to establish medical boards of inquiries.

This kind of a precedent would make it impossible for us to establish a board of inquiry, at least with physicians from the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Supplementary, Member for Thebacha.

Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. It is no wonder that people have many questions and concerns about our health care system. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister reconsider his decision of the appointment he made since it was brought to the attention of himself as Minister, that the president of the Board of Inquiry is currently under a medical malpractice suit? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

I am prepared to reconsider it, Mr. Speaker, thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Mr. Speaker, about a year and a half ago there was a position open in Fort Providence for an economic development officer. We have had the person from Hay River working as the economic development officer for some time, but this position has been transferred to Fort Smith. We have had interviews which were not acceptable.

The government has gone further by suggesting that the money for the position be allocated to the community, and the community can decide whom they wish to select. I would like to ask the Minister how soon this allocation will occur in order for the community to get on with their economic future?

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I think we have been talking to Fort Providence already. I will ensure that it is done immediately. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Speaker, one of the problems which the community is having with regard to the position is whether or not the PY allocated to the community would work for the territorial government, or would the community be giving direction to the individual once he or she is hired?

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, in this kind of situation where the community is contracting with us to deliver services to the community, the community itself would be directing the activities of the person they choose. What we would be asking is that they also fulfil and carry forward any programs that we have for that particular community. The direction would be from the community, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Gargan.

I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Social Services. Mr. Speaker, last week the Minister announced in his Minister's Statement an increase to the alcohol and drug workers. Quite frankly, the workers are quite

excited about it. How soon does he anticipate this increase to happen and would it happen before or after Christmas?

Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the increase will depend on the approval of a supplementary estimate by the Legislature. I think the amount is $750,000. Once that is approved, Mr. Speaker, my department will work as quickly as possible with the groups that are funded under the Alcohol and Drug Program throughout the Northwest Territories to adjust contributions to reflect the increased support to worker's wages. I should explain the proposal is that the increases would be retroactive to April 1 of this fiscal year. Mr. Speaker, if the supp is approved in a timely fashion, we will immediately have the authority to begin reworking those contribution agreements to provide the support. I think the Member is suggesting that it would be nice if it could happen before Christmas and I will endeavour to do so. Thank you.

Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question would be to the Minister of Renewable Resources but since he is not here, I would like to ask the Government Leader. During the last ten years, Mr. Speaker, there have been numerous studies done in my constituency. The bison study is still going on and we have had collars put on lynx. There is even talk of putting collars on moose. Last week, Mr. Speaker, we had a public meeting with the band council and it really disturbs the elders of the community that we allow these things to happen. We allow animals to have these heavy collars on. It really bothers some of the older people that we trap these animals, only to find collars on them. Their position is that those animals have been here for over 30,000 years. Just based on collecting data from trappers, you know where most of these animals would be caught. There are other ways beside collaring these animals. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not the intention of the department is still to put collars on moose in my area?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, on the matter of gathering information on wildlife habitat, I believe that the question is not concerning reason or necessity to have that information and as much detailed information as possible, but more towards a method of how we are retrieving the information as it relates to the use of tracking collars. It is not my understanding that there is going to be a change. I know there is a limited use of collars for the purpose of tracking wildlife. However, I know in other areas there is quite a bit of interaction between aboriginal people, traditional knowledge and scientists. What I would do is relay the concern of the honourable Member to the Minister of Renewable Resources and have a report of what the future plans are in using tracking collars on moose. I would also suggest that perhaps if the honourable Member's area is not as inclined to coordinate activities between traditional knowledge and clinical scientists' knowledge, I will ask the Minister to deal with the honourable Member to see what can be done. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The main concern with regard to the hunters, trappers and elders of the community is that it is not necessary to burden animals with equipment that is not part of their nature or habitat. It really bothers the elders that we allow things like that to happen. As a politician, even I cannot understand why we should be doing that.

One other thing I was also told, Mr. Speaker, from the meeting was that animals were being tranquillized and in some cases -- I do not know whether they died of shock or overdosage -- the bison that were tranquillized died. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not she will look into those cases and find out why those animals have died. If it is because of an overdose, I think people should know about it.

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I will incorporate that further concern to the question to the Minister of Renewable Resources and to the department in his absence. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, Oral Questions. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister responsible for Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. It is in respect to N.W.T.P.C. Mr. Speaker, at some point in time the Minister did indicate that they were taking a study, or they completed their study, on bringing a power line around the lake and did not deem it to be feasible. They were considering possibly a cable line straight across the lake for the excess power that has been generated from Taltson as a result of the closure of Pine Point. Can the Minister indicate to me whether or not the study has been completed? Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the honourable Member is quite correct in saying that there have been two considerations in terms of using the excess power from Fort Smith. Both proposals have been brought forward and both are to do with the amount that it would cost. It really did not equate very well in terms of allowing power to be delivered at a less expensive rate. As a result, both studies have shown the cost of bringing power around the lake or across the lake is excessive. Therefore, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation will be pursuing, with the Town of Fort Smith, other uses of that excess power such as electrical heating or other uses rather than having the power waste away. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. In Fort Smith there are many different institutions that are owned by the government. So is the Minister indicating that the government will consider the current buildings to be converted to another form of heating system such as electrical heat? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, that is the intention.

Thank you. Supplementary, Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister be able to indicate when they will be making their final decision in regard to this issue of what they will do with this excess power that is available in Fort Smith from the Taltson hydro system? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I will take that as notice. I know that we have put a time frame on it, but I cannot exactly say what that time frame is. I will get back to the honourable Member as soon as I can.

The question has been taken as notice. Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. The Minister knows, as it has been discussed for the last two or three days, about the average 12 per cent increase in employers' assessment rates and the imposition of approximately 24 to 25 per cent for certain northern industries. He knows that it will have a significant impact on the private sector and, indeed, our entire economy. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister inform this House whether or not he has been assured by the board that there will be no increases in their administrative budget and no increases in their PYs for the 1993-94 fiscal year?

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, no I cannot provide that assurance.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

Can the Minister indicate to us then what the additional administrative costs are going to be, what additional PYs are required for the Workers' Compensation Board and what they intend to do?

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I have not yet received the budget for the coming fiscal year from the Workers' Compensation Board. I am told that there is about a six per cent increase in the budget which will be tabled in the House. I think part of the increase costs are for increased activities that the board is planning in the safety education awareness field. The board is also, as I mentioned the other day, looking at improving its internal audit capabilities. That is what I know about the proposed budget, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Second supplementary, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We already spend $2.3 million in the safety division; $800,000 in the mine safety division and $750,000 on fire safety. How can the Minister justify this duplication of service that the Workers' Compensation Board intends to perform at an additional cost to the employers in these difficult times?

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, notwithstanding the significant monies that are being spent, which I acknowledge, the reality is that the cost of accidents and the short fall between the costs of dealing with those accidents and the reassessment revenue has meant that the board is in a difficult financial situation and is forced to pass on those increased costs to the users. Mr. Speaker, I think the board's philosophy is that it is only by increasing and monitoring awareness -- and, yes, I would agree spending more money even than what we are spending now -- that accidents can be cut back in severity and in number so that in future, rates can be reduced and the trend of spiralling rates that we have seen in recent years can be reversed. That is the board's theory, Mr. Speaker. We have to do more in safety awareness and inspection if we are to stop the increased cost of accidents in coming years. That is the only way rates will come down. Thank you.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, some Members of this House believe that the jurisdiction and responsibility lies with the Department of Safety and Public Services, and more importantly, the fiscal responsibility. The government's own Strength At Two Levels report recommended that duplication should be removed within the G.N.W.T. infrastructure. Will the Minister explain to me how we can on the one hand suggest that we not duplicate but on the other hand duplicate with the W.C.B. when it is already the responsibility of Safety and the fiscal responsibility lies with the government's safety division?

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I am not happy with the situation. I am not pleased that we have this problem as outlined by the Member. I would like to explain, Mr. Speaker, when I took over this responsibility I found that a safety education capacity had been established and was in place in the Workers' Compensation Board. People had been hired and expenses had been incurred to develop support for that safety education program. Since I was faced with a fait accompli, I decided that the best way to deal with that situation, rather than undoing what had been done and wasting money that had already been spent, would be to get the Department of Safety and Public Services and the Workers' Compensation Board and require them to work in a cooperative fashion.

At the time, I was Minister of both departments, and it was possible to insist that cooperation be the watch word. Mr. Speaker, I believe the two functions are being carried out now in a cooperative manner: one is inspection and monitoring of safety practices; the other is awareness and education. They are related. They are complementary. There is not competition and I am satisfied that, in that sense, Mr. Speaker, the public is getting value for its money.

I recognize the A.B.C. Committee has recommended the matter be looked at, that it be considered in the context of legislative review and I think it should be reviewed. For the time being, Mr. Speaker, I think we have a working relationship that is cooperative and satisfactory and not necessarily duplicating or wasting money by duplications. Thank you.

Oral Questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Government Leader. Mr. Speaker, all this month, I have been listening between programs to an announcement on the new gun law that is going to be applied across Canada. This month, until Monday anyway, there is an amnesty on the kind of guns that should be allowed to have permits. Not that we have a lot of Inuit or Dene people who have these point shot/clip automatics. I have not heard any announcement on this amnesty in any aboriginal language, Inuktitut or Dene. I would like to ask if most of the communities are quite informed about this new gun law, about the type of rifles, the kind of ammunition and the amount of ammunition that you can carry?

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I will make sure that the information that is surely getting out in English is stepped up in the aboriginal languages so that everyone has the same amount of information. Mr. Speaker, I know that even I am waiting for a few minutes so I can get a briefing on what I can be allowed to keep as well. I know that we are behind in getting that information out, but we will step it up as quickly as possible.

Thank you. Item 5, Oral Questions. Mr. Todd.

I have a question for the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. Am I not correct that in the earlier briefing this afternoon, the Chairman of the Workers' Compensation Board said that the additional PYs and the six per cent increase in administration would relate to worker safety education and also related to work place audits? Is that not a duplication of work that is currently being formed by the Safety Division? Yes or no?

Mr. Patterson.