I would like to thank the honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, it is indicative of a lack of accountability that has prevented this board and administration from being responsive to the needs of aboriginal Northerners.

The Workers' Compensation Board cannot be allowed to operate as an organization which puts itself above the needs, the aspirations and the values of the communities it is supposed to serve. The board is a creature of this Legislative Assembly, and it must be made accountable to the Assembly and to the people of the Northwest Territories.

I am encouraged by the decision of the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions to conduct a comprehensive review of this agency early in the new fiscal year, and I would urge that a high priority should be placed on this.

I will also be calling on the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board to bring forth amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act, including a legislative definition of who should be considered principally engaged as a hunter and trapper. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.