Good afternoon. Orders of the day for Thursday, March 12, 1992. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ministers' statements. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I intend to introduce to the House the new Wildlife Conservation Act. This act will replace the current Wildlife Act, which is now more than 13 years old. This new act will do four things: 1) It provides a framework that can be used to incorporate future changes more quickly and easily; 2) It recognizes and puts into law the provisions of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, which was signed in 1984, in a separate part of the act; 3) It removes or alters provisions from the Wildlife Act which were in contravention of Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms; 4) It makes minor changes which, although they do not affect the meaning or intent of the legislation, make the wording consistent with other territorial statutes, and will aid translation. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to support this new act. Thank you.

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

Members' statements. Members' statements. Mr. Whitford.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Antoine on March 6, 1992. At the appropriate time today, I will be tabling the Canada Forest Accord that the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Forestry signed in Ottawa last week. The accord contains the overall goal and objectives of the strategy. I have also provided Mr. Antoine with a copy of the Canadian Forest Strategy for his information. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I could ask the Hon. John Ningark a question with regard to his statement today. Has the Minister or the department reviewed the Gwich'in final agreement to consider its implementation in the new Wildlife Conservation Act?

Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This proposed act will allow for the other land claim areas to do what we are going to be able to do with the Inuvialuit claim. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, could I ask the Minister why in his reconsideration for an amendment to the Wildlife Conservation Act or the creation of the new Wildlife Conservation Act, he did not consider any changes that would reflect the Gwich'in final agreement, despite the fact that it has already been approved and voted on by the Gwich'in?

Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding that the Gwich'in agreement has not been signed yet. As soon as it is signed, you will be part of this act. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, the Gwich'in final agreement has been signed. I guess the honourable Member probably should say it is not in legislation yet. I want to ask the honourable Member why, in proposing a new Wildlife Conservation Act for consideration by this House, he did not take into consideration the possibility of that agreement being in legislation by the end of April. Maybe it is worth consideration by this House.

Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess I was wrong when I said it was not signed yet. It is my understanding that it is not finalized yet. According to the Wildlife Conservation Act which is proposed for this House, number one says that it will provide a framework that can be used to incorporate changes more quickly and easily. I think that is what the honourable Member is asking for.

Last supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I note the absence of any changes that might reflect the Sparrow case. I want to ask the Minister if the department has considered any changes as a result of the Sparrow case.

Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding, yes.

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the March 5 issue of the Inuvik Drum there are four requests for proposals from the Department of Social Services. One is a for contract home for young offenders; another one is to provide open custody facilities for bush camps. Both close Friday, March 13. In the proposals there are clauses where the contractor shall obtain and maintain comprehensive general liability insurance coverage in the amount of not less than two million dollars.

My question to the Minister of Social Services is how does he expect contractors to get this type of insurance when very few insurance firms in the North can provide that type of coverage for people looking after young offenders.

Minister of Social Services, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If that is the case then why was that information not provided in the ads? If you read the ads it is fairly clear what is required and nowhere does it say that this is negotiable or other alternatives can be discussed or negotiated.

Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure who they would talk to there because you do not have a superintendent and the acting superintendent is on leave. I was advised that the clerks were phoned to put these ads in the paper and that is how these ads were put in. The deadline is tomorrow and you have to phone Yellowknife office to get copies of the proposals, and there it says alternative methods may be looked at. So I am not sure who they would contact in Inuvik today.

My question is, if this is the case that operators can negotiate and get alternate coverage, why were they not told or why was this not publicized?

Mr. Whitford.

Last supplementary, Mr. Koe.

I think the Minister missed my question. In prior contracts the need for insurance was waived by the department, and the department, or government, covered this insurance in their general insurance coverage. To my knowledge no firms in the Northwest Territories, and I will have to confirm that, can provide this coverage, so they have to go south. It is very difficult to find a firm that will provide coverage for a bush camp operation to look after young offenders. The cost is significant.

My question is, with this type of call for proposals and insurance costs that you are asking for insurance coverage, the cost of care goes up significantly. Is the department willing to bear that cost?

Mr. Whitford.

Oral questions. Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to Renewable Resources. We all know the Peary caribou have to be conserved. We have to work together to conserve the Peary caribou. Has your department come up with a plan? As for the Baffin caribou, there are only 14,000, and this is for the three communities of Broughton Island, Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord. The caribou are far away and the people have to hunt the caribou by plane. These 14,000 caribou are not enough.

Last summer the people of Resolute asked me if they can go and hunt the caribou in another area, and they had to pay $9000 to go, and 14,000 caribou is not enough, Can your department look into this and look into the funding; if they can erase the funding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Ningark.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is his first question on this matter; this is the first time I am aware of this. I would like to tell the Member that we will look into this and we will answer the Member.

Oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. We just earlier on today got a fairly extensive briefing on the expansion and closure of the DEWline site and the North Warning System. It is my understanding the Department of Economic Development is going to be the lead department in the acquisition of the surplus assets with the closures. My question to the Minister would be, can he provide us with a complete list of the equipment that is going to be placed in the hands of the GNWT?

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I am unable to do that at this time, but I can tell the Members that there was a meeting on February 17. It was an interdepartmental meeting between Public Works, Economic Development and Tourism, Health, Government Services, Transportation, MACA, Renewable Resources, and the Science Institute. As we are the lead department, it was chaired by Economic Development and Tourism. Mr. Peter Allen, assistant deputy minister, is the co-ordinator.

We are not actually buying those assets, Mr. Speaker; we are co-ordinating other departments that have an interest in those assets. There is a report being prepared that will inventory all of those assets, and as soon as I have those assets, their locations, and who is interested in them, I will provide them to the House. If the House is not sifting, I will provide them to the Members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In this report that is being developed, is there going to be a method that is going to identify how these assets are going to be distributed, or is it just going to be left to the individual departments to request? Given the dire need in some municipalities for heavy equipment, for example, is there a method, a process, on how we are going to select and distribute these significant assets?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, there are two phases. Phase one is a disposal of moveable assets and equipment, and departments will be asked to identify items that they are interested in. There will be a committee chaired by Government Services, a selection committee, and they will make selections. Municipal and Community Affairs will look after municipal interests. Economic Development and Tourism will identify assets which may be transferred to business interests and community-based organizations. The second phase will be the disposal of the fixed assets, and Public Works will review the capital plan to determine which buildings can be economically relocated.

This may be a little long, Mr. Speaker, but it will tell everybody where it is at right now: Transportation has requested that all abandoned airstrips be left intact so that we have emergency airstrips in the Northwest Territories; Social Services will represent institutional interests, and possibly social service recipients. Once dispersal of assets has been decided upon, a letter will be sent to Canadian Assets Disposal identifying items to be transferred; Economic Development and Tourism will arrange the distribution of assets with DND, Department of National Defence, and departments; the Science Institute is interested in having one or two buildings left standing at camp five, for use by the scientific community. There may be some interest in the private sector with respect to using abandoned sites; Renewable Resources and Health will be involved in the development of site-specific clean-up plans; Health, Social Services and Education will examine the possibility of selecting surplus inventory of various household items.

When final abandonment and clean-up begins, Economic Development and Tourism will co-ordinate efforts of the Department of National Defence to ensure that Northerners obtain contracts, training, and employment.

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the specific question about how the pie will be divided up, I think cabinet is waiting for some direction from the department, through the Department of Government Services, and making suggestions to us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

We are not suggesting for one minute that there is no cost attached to this. There must be a cost attached to it somewhere, and I would like to know from the Minister, from where are the funds going to come with respect to the costs attached to either moving equipment out or purchasing equipment'? From where are the funds going to come?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, that will be in the report that will be delivered to me, hopefully, in the next 30 days. I have heard varying prices from one dollar up to $12,500 for some equipment. I cannot confirm those numbers today, but it will be part of the report. Obviously, the financial impact that it has upon us will be considered. Also the fact, is the Canadian military going to move those assets to where they are required in the Northwest Territories? The initial reading is, if there is a Hercules strip or a strip capable of taking a Hercules where we want the equipment delivered, they may be able to do that for us, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Government Leader the following question: On February 27 1 asked Question W12-12(2), regarding the cost of chairpersons for boards, agencies and committees. I would like to ask the Government Leader what time she intends to respond to that particular question. Thank you.

Government Leader, Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I do not know why it has not been tabled already. However, I will try to do that by Monday. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Social Services. A request for proposals has been called in Inuvik to manage an open custody group home for young offenders. Previously, the Minister responded to one of my questions that there were no negotiations on these contracts. Can the Minister confirm that in this case a proposal for the management of an open custody group home will be based on the submission from a contractor? Thank you,

Minister for Social Services, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

If that is the case, then I would like to quote from the proposal from the department, which says: "Following a final evaluation, the selected contractor will be required to negotiate a contractual agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories." I do not understand why the Minister is saying there are no negotiations when clearly, in the call for proposals from the department, it says that there is a negotiations process that takes place.

The question was not 100 per cent clear. Mr. Whitford, would you like to respond?

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I would like to refer the Minister to their own documents where it says department contractors are required to carry liability insurance in the amount of two million dollars. Provisions for this cost may be included in the budget submitted. Does that mean, then, that there is some form of deal-making or negotiations that can take place once a submission is submitted?

Mr. Whitford.

The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Social Services following up on the process in respect to open custody group homes in Inuvik, the proposal request. Since the Minister indicated and recognizes that his department is asking for a two million dollar coverage on general liability, and since the individuals that want to bid on this particular proposal state that the liability may be difficult to access, I would like to ask the Minister if consideration could be given to waive the general liability request for this proposal.

Minister of Social Services, Mr. Whitford.

Can the Minister advise this House as to what agency would be able to assist with this particular matter, and does that agency allow for applicable individuals to be able to be assisted?

That is really two questions, but Mr. Whitford, would you like to respond?

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Can the Minister confirm to this House whether Storefront does allow for the provision of insurance for individuals, and not only non-profit organizations? Thank you.

Mr. Whitford.

Oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to again ask the Hon. John Ningark, Minister of Renewable Resources, even though he said it was his understanding that the Supreme Court decision on the Sparrow case has been considered in the amendments, I would ask the Minister where in his presentation today, or his Minister's statement, is that particular matter being considered?

Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take that question as notice.

Question has been taken as notice. Oral

questions. Mr. Nerysoo, new question.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Economic Development a question. Yesterday when Members on this side of the House were asking questions about the art exhibition in Japan, the honourable Member indicated that the government was not displaying the art exhibition themselves, but rather, was participating as representatives of government. Does this government represent all people in the NWT?

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, then I think the questions yesterday were relevant. What is this government doing with regard to promoting Dene art in Canada or on the international scene?

Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, under the Economic Development Agreement we provided $9804 of EDA assistance to Gameti Development Corporation for hide tanning-workshops; we did contributions of $88,000 to provide for the development of promotional materials to enhance sales of NWT arts and crafts; specific brochures relating to the promotion of Dene craft work, including birchbark baskets, tufting, beadwork, quill work, tanned hides; also an overview brochure will include the socio-cultural aspects of Dene arts.

Under commercial enterprises, Fort Liard gets an annual budget to Acho Dene native crafts of $150,000. Under small tools and equipment, Dene artisans receive $42,000 of the fiscal 1991-92 budget for the department's small tools and equipment programs. There was a new person year, an arts and crafts officer allocated to Fort Rae with an annual budget of $53,000. This officer commenced work with the department on February 18, 1991.

For the business development fund: Fort Simpson, TJ Groceries received $7380 to renovate existing store to provide space for existing craft shop; Bertha Norwegian received $9150 to complete and market tapes of Dene songs; the DDC received $15,000 to host an arts contest for artwork for a Dene calendar; Fort Resolution Metis Local 53, $10,000 to establish a non-profit community sewing centre to produce and sell crafts; Aurora Video, $2500 to produce music promotion tape in English and in Slavey; Treeline Trappings, $4350 to attend Nexus '91 Trade Show in Vancouver in May, 1991, to promote Dene crafts; Fort Norman tannery received $7290 to establish traditional native tannery; Lac la Martre received $1060 to establish a small craft business; Snare Lake, Princely Productions, $3000 to produce performing arts tapes; Treeline Trappings again, for $2450 to attend the Colorado Indian Art Round-up Trade Show.

Under the department's O and M budget, a total of six full-colour one-page advertisements were placed in various magazines to promote Dene craft work. Forty-five per cent, that is $374,000, of purchases for the Expo '92 retail outlet are Dene arts and crafts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister indicate to me if there were any major expenditures with international exhibitions in 1991-92?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, as I said, there was assistance to Treeline Trappings to go to the Colorado Indian Art Round-up Trade Show, which is an international trade show. Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo, supplementary.

Mr. Speaker, could I ask the honourable Minister to indicate to this House how much money was spent on international exhibitions and Inuit art for 1991-92?

Mr. Pollard.

I will take the question as notice, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Social Services regarding a request for proposals in the Inuvik Region for young offenders and child welfare homes. Some potential contractors did not, have not, or will not bother to submit proposals for operations of these homes because of a requirement to provide comprehensive general liability insurance.

In an earlier response to a question the Minister indicated that there is an agency called Storefront somewhere in the Territories, where individuals can apply to receive this liability insurance coverage. Will the Minister confirm that this is the case?

Minister of Social Services, Mr. Whitford.

Question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could I ask the Minister of Economic Development if he could provide this

House with a detailed summary of all of the expenditures this government has made with regard to Expo '92 and the regions and the companies that are involved in the purchases?

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Pollard.

Yes, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Government Leader. My question is with respect to the Hon. Titus Allooloo's visit to Japan for the exhibition of Inuit art. Recognizing there has been tremendous concern with respect to Daishowa's building of their pulp mill in Alberta, which would affect northern waters, I would like to ask the Government Leader if she would consider requesting the Minister, since he is going to be in Japan, to make an attempt to meet with Daishowa to express the concern of territorial residents on the building of their pulp mill in Peace River.

Government Leader, Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I am not quite aware of Mr. Allooloo's schedule, but I will take that as notice.