Good afternoon, and welcome back. Orders of the day for Tuesday, March 24, 1992. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ministers' statements Mr. Kakfwi.

Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Russia

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with considerable pleasure today that I have the opportunity to announce in this House that a northern company has signed a major contract to design and construct a town in the former USSR.

The Department of Public Works has, during that time, cochaired with the USSR Minister for State Construction, GOSSTROI, the northern construction theme, one of four themes under the program. Following from their initial visits under the program, Ferguson Simek and Clark has undertaken to pursue further private ventures in the Republic of Yakut, which is in the far north of the Russian republic. With the assistance by the Government of the Northwest Territories, and in particular the advice and services of our director of circumpolar affairs, Mr. Walter Slipchenko, in Ottawa, Mr. Simek has been able to establish a joint venture.

Members have perhaps read in the local media that the joint venture company already has under construction a small wilderness hotel. The project has involved a number of other northern companies, and I am advised that the project is now in its final stages of completion and will soon be open for business.

Following this first success, Mr. Simek, with the assistance of the Department of Public Works, has been able to negotiate a contract to construct an entire town near the city of Yakutia. During these negotiations, the Minister of Public Works was very much involved in securing the confidence and approval of the republic's president. Last year, the Hon. Nellie Cournoyea, accompanied by the then Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, the Hon. Tom Buffers, visited Yakutia, where she signed a protocol with the president of the republic, That protocol outlines a co-operation between the governments of the Northwest Territories and the Republic of Yakutia which has allowed Ferguson Simek and Clark to strike this deal. The project will involve the joint efforts of several northern companies and the Department of Public Works. The municipal infrastructure and housing will be designed to NWT standards, using many of the plans and specifications developed through our capital programs.

Mr. Speaker, this success is but one example of how the government, and in particular Public Works, is working with the northern construction industry to advance their goals and objectives. It also indicates that our northern construction industry is maturing, and, as it does, they will look beyond our own jurisdictions for opportunities. Ventures such as these offer significant opportunity for Northerners, and the Government of the Northwest Territories must do what it can to preserve and assist in these opportunities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ministers' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, the 1992 Arctic Winter Games have just been completed in Whitehorse, Yukon. As Minister responsible, I am pleased to provide Members of the Assembly with highlights on our NWT team's participation in this premier circumpolar sport and cultural event.

Mr. Speaker, our team of nearly 308 athletes with supporting coaches and mission staff brought home a total of 93 ulus: 25 gold, 33 silver and 35 bronze.

--- Applause

Athletic excellence, combined with fair play, are qualities to be encouraged and recognized in our young people. The following athletes won gold ulus at the 1992 Arctic Winter Games and deserve special mention:

Tim Angotingoar of Chesterfield Inlet for Arctic sports, head pull; Heather Kolit of Coral Harbour for the one foot high kick; Tommy lquiyuituuq of Pelly Bay for the Alaskan high kick and one foot high kick; Julie Oolayou of Lake Harbour for the one foot high kick and two foot high kick; Manny Buckley of Hay River Reserve for the finger pull and stick gambling; Lloyd Lamouelle of Rae-Edzo for the stick push and stick gambling; Freddy Tinqui of Rae-Edzo for stick gambling; Charlie Quitte of Rae-Edzo for stick gambling; Christie Elliot of Coppermine for badminton doubles; Melanie Langill of Coral Harbour for badminton doubles; the Kevin Koe rink of Yellowknife for curling; and Amber Ruben of Fort Smith for figure skating; the open women's hockey team, with athletes from Inuvik, Fort Smith, Yellowknife, lqaluit, Hay River, Lac la Martre, Rankin Inlet and Arviat; the open co-ed silhouette rifle team, with athletes from Yellowknife, Inuvik, Enterprise and the Hay River Reserve; Jaida Green, Fort Smith, three gold ulus in snowshoeing; Warren Magrum, Hay River, two gold ulus in snowshoe biathlon; John Kidd, Hay River, two gold ulus in snowshoe biathlon; the open junior snowshoe biathlon; team with athletes from Fort Smith and Hay River, The bantam mens hockey team with athletes from Hay River, Yellowknife, Enterprise, Fort Smith and Baker Lake.

In addition to these athletes, I am sure Members of the House will join me in congratulating the other 68 NWT medal winners and all members of Team NWT for their excellent performances and the effort they put into making us all proud. Mr. Speaker, I will be tabling a complete list of all the medal winners later this session, as soon as it is translated. Thank you.

--- Applause

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, March 21st, at the closing ceremonies of the 1992 Arctic Winter Games, the Northwest Territories was awarded the highest honour that can be given, the coveted Hodgson Trophy. This trophy is awarded by the Arctic Winter Games Corporation and voted on by all teams for the unit best exemplifying fair play and good sportsmanship. Of the many things that make the Arctic Winter Games unique, this recognition by our northern peers is perhaps the most cherished.

Mr. Speaker, this is the first time since the Hodgson Trophy was first awarded in 1978 that the Northwest Territories has won the award. The original trophy is a delicate piece of artwork with soapstone base and narwhal tusk and is placed in the permanent care of staff at the Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife. The winning unit receives a large framed photo of the trophy to keep on display in their unit.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. That is much nicer than the fish you brought into the Assembly previously. Ministers' statements. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week I travelled to Vancouver to attend the spring meeting of the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment. Although the council has existed for 10 years, this is the first time that Yukon and the Northwest Territories have had full status. I believe this is an important step to assist our government to work with other jurisdictions to keep the Arctic environment healthy.

While at the meeting, I was able to gain the co-operation of several other Ministers on transboundary issues. The Ministers of Environment for Yukon, British Columbia and Alberta all agreed to get back to work on developing the bilateral transboundary water agreements. These are important to protect the Liard, Mackenzie and Peace-Athabasca-Slave Rivers. I also met with the Saskatchewan Minister of Environment. We both agreed that the draft bilateral agreement between Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories is now complete. Saskatchewan will also share its monitoring information on the abandoned uranium mines on Lake Athabasca.

The British Columbia Minister of Forestry travelled to Vancouver to discuss with me the effects of logging on Fort Liard trappers. Unfortunately, trappers cannot be compensated because British Columbia has no compensation program. We did agree on a process to ensure that, in the future, trappers will have an opportunity to comment on proposed logging plans. As well, BC Forestry will advise the Department of Renewable Resources about logging plans near the territorial border.

I was pleased with the co-operation that was offered by all the Ministers that I met. I would like to thank the previous Minister of Renewable Resources, Titus Allooloo, who helped to set up many of the initiatives that I am now completing.

--- Applause

Minister's statements. Mr. Pollard.

The House

Mr. Speaker, the Hon. Nellie Cournoyea will be absent from the House today and tomorrow to attend a First Ministers' Conference on the Economy. The Hon. Titus Allooloo will be absent all week to attend meetings with TFN in Pond Inlet, Igloolik and Hall Beach regarding the plebiscite. I will be absent from the House March 26th and 27th to meet with the Hon. Tom Siddon to discuss the health billing dispute, the formula funding agreement and municipal grants in lieu of taxes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ministers' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report to the House upon a community justice workshop hosted by the community of Fort McPherson on the weekend of March 7th and 8th. Some 60 people participated in the intensive two-day workshop, which included representatives from Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvik, Aklavik, Arctic Red River and Fort Good Hope. The community also invited Chief Judge Robert Halifax and Judge Brian Bruser of Inuvik, along with senior officials from my department and the corrections division of the Department of Social Services.

A news release issued by the conference outlines the participation of elders from Fort McPherson who described eloquently the changes in social order and social controls among the Gwich'in people in this century.

Last year, Fort McPherson initiated a community justice committee to give advice and recommendations to Judge Bruser, the regional judge of the territorial court, on meaningful and relevant sentences for offenders before the court. For example, their advice has already resulted in successful land-based programs under the supervision of Gwich'in elders. The conference identified a broad range of additional functions the committees can perform as a networking, communication and referral agency throughout the justice system.

Mr. Speaker, I am very encouraged by these community initiatives, which have been strongly supported by the territorial court. A community justice committee has formed in Tuktoyaktuk, and interest has been expressed by Aklavik and Fort Good Hope, to name just a few of the communities in the West which are beginning to join in efforts to make the administration of justice more culturally-relevant, community based and locally accountable. Similar initiatives are forthcoming in the East, again with strong support from Judge Beverley Browne, the regional judge of the territorial court in lqaluit.

To date, the committees have performed largely unfunded volunteer efforts. My department and the corrections division of the Department of Social Services are undertaking consultations with communities on how best to support their efforts, along with other related initiatives such as the justices of the peace program. In the long term, I believe that such community programs will play a key role in reducing the incredible pressures on our policing, courts, legal aid and prison systems. It may allow us to redirect funds toward local institutions with both the responsibility and the ability to change the behaviour which has put our people so frequently in conflict with the law, and restore the social controls which

were a traditional strength.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank Chief James Ross and the local organizers of the conference for their enthusiasm and for the hospitality extended to community and government participants in the conference. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to introduce, to Members, four young boys from my constituency who are taking a break from school this week. Most schools had a break last week, but for some reason it is this week that these boys, standing beside you, Mr. Speaker, are taking a break,

I would like to introduce them to you. Starting from my right over on this side, Tommy Gargan, is from Fort Providence --are all from Providence -- and his mom and dad are Tommy and Linda; his dad works as a supervisor for Evergreen Forestry; his mom works at The Bay, Northern Store. Next to Tommy is Rodney Bonnetrouge; Rodney's mom and dad are Ronald and Shirley; Ronald works for the Housing Corporation, and Shirley also works there; Harry Joe Landry is the one to your right, Mr. Speaker, and Harry has a famous dad, who is Johnny Landry, a musician and Harry's mom works at the senior citizens' home. On the far right, Mr. Speaker, is Solomon Gargan, and Solomon is my son.

--- Applause

His mom works for the Housing Corporation, too.

--- Laughter

I want to express my appreciation to you, Mr. Speaker, and the Clerk, for allowing the opportunity for these boys to come over here to earn some money for this week. Of course, these boys have done everything I have told them to do.

---Laughter

They all play hockey, and they are also looking forward to going home and spending all their hard-earned cash on the heavy dates that are ahead of them.

Lastly, the boys are staying with me, and so far they have put up with my cooking and they have been well-behaved. I wish the boys well, and I hope that they enjoy themselves here in Yellowknife. Mahsi cho.

--- Applause

All Members join Mr. Gargan in welcoming the boys here to our Assembly. Members' statements. Mr. Zoe.

Member's Statement On Correction Re T-Line

Developments Limited

Members' statements. Mr. Todd.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to Question O318-12(2), asked by Mr. Nerysoo on March 12, 1992. Several years ago the Department of Renewable Resources with assistance from the Department of Justice, reviewed the Sparrow case. The review confirmed that the department's legislation, policies and management practices were consistent with the court decision and that no changes were required.

Since the new Wildlife Conservation Act reflects the existing Wildlife Act, which is consistent with the Sparrow case, no special amendments were needed. Thank you.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Finance who is the House Leader for cabinet. In the absence of the Hon. Nellie Cournoyea and in the absence of Mr. Allooloo, can he advise this House who will be taking their questions as notice if the Members want to ask questions to them?

Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take those questions, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

With that, Mr. Speaker, can I ask the Minister of Finance, is he the acting Government Leader?

Mr. Pollard.

No, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, would the Minister of Finance be able to advise this House as to who is acting Government Leader?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I am chairing cabinet on behalf of the Government Leader at the present time. She has instructed me to take questions on behalf of Mr. Allooloo and herself, and there is no acting Government Leader at the present time.

Oral questions. Mr. Gargan,

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On April 11, 1991, I made a Member's statement to the 11th Legislative Assembly regarding the shameful treatment of Kitty Nowdluk-Reynolds by the Justice system. Honourable Members in this House may recall that I also made reference to this disgraceful episode during our first session on December 12th when I spoke against the victimization of native women.

Mr. Speaker, I have learned that a public review of RCMP conduct in this matter has been convened in lqaluit. I am aware of the specific matters relating to evidence before this inquiry may be considered sub judice and cannot be raised under the rules of this House. Therefore, I will refrain from commenting on the case itself until after the review has been completed by the public complaints panel.

I do not know Ms. Reynolds personally and she is not one of my constituents. However, I do want to state my strong personal support for her efforts to seek justice and wish her success in obtaining her objective. I am also interested in our government's status through this process and have a question to the Minister of Justice. Can the Minister of Justice advise this House whether the Government of the NWT has formal standing in this important review?

Quite a long preamble to your question, Mr. Gargan. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Gargan, supplementary.

Mr. Speaker, is this government providing any kind of technical assistance to support the woman, including legal consultation and resources to herl

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, to my knowledge, no assistance is being provided, nor was it requested.

Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am certain this public complaints process can be emotionally stressful for anyone involved bringing claims against the RCMP. Is the Minister of Justice able to assure this House that appropriate professional support and personal assistance will be provided to Ms. Reynolds if she requests it as part of his department's service to victims of crime?

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I will have to take that question as notice and get back to the Member tomorrow on that.

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. A question to the Minister of Personnel. On February 27, 1992 the Minister made an annoucement about cabinet's decision to sell government owned staff houses in Yellowknife, Hay River and Fort Smith. My question is, does this new policy or program apply to any other communities than the three mentioned in this statement?

Mr. Minister.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

I am aware that in the last few weeks in Inuvik offers or counter-offers have been made to employees of the government. Under what program or policy has the sale of houses been made or offers been made in Inuvik?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Koe, supplementary.

In that same statement of February 27, the Minister announced, and I quote, "The initiative is the first phase of a long-term staff housing strategy." My question is, what is your time table for this strategy? When can we in the House see the results or a strategy?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Your last supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Under the current initiatives, how many houses have been sold or how many offers has the government received and accepted under this latest initiative?

Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Minister of Justice, Mr. Patterson.

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

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, the expansion of initiatives like that will depend on the finalization of the budget

in my department and the RCMP budget. So I would expect that it would be part of the O and M budget discussions that we will be having when the Assembly resumes to look at the O and M budget in June or July. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Patterson,

No, Mr. Speaker, I am not intending to say anything of the kind; only that the continuation of existing programs and their expansion will be dependent on the finalization of the budget of the Department of Justice. I am not in a position today to prejudge the outcome of those budget discussions, I think I will have a better idea when the O and M budget for my department is presented to this Assembly, just what kind of latitude there might be to expand programs like that in the coming fiscal year. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I have yet to receive a report, even a preliminary one, on the success of that particular initiative. I will base my judgments on whether or not it should be given priority status within my budget on the success of the program. If the Member has advice for me about its importance I would be most interested in that advice. But having not yet received an evaluation, I am not in a position to state today whether or not it would be a priority.

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask a question to the Minister of Personnel in respect to the sale of housing. On March 2nd I asked the Minister of Personnel a written question in regard to clarification on the sale of housing in Fort Smith. As of today I have still not received a reply. When does the Minister anticipate he will reply to my written question?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to congratulate the Minister of Public Works on the statement about the contracts in Russia and the initiatives taken by some of our Northwest Territories' companies or so-called Northwest Territories' companies. The initiatives show that our companies have capabilities and can do international jobs. My concern is on the financial aspects, and it is not clear from the statements the Minister made as to whether or not this government has provided any financial support for these companies in these initiatives. Can the Minister state whether or not the Government of the NWT has given any financial support to these companies in regard to the contracts in Russia?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My understanding is that the Department of Public Works, Government of the NWT, did not assist the companies financially. One advantage for Ferguson Simek Clark when they did travel to Russia, because the USSR wanted to deal government to government, was that they did need government people there as protocol. That is the advantage they got. So it did cost this government money to travel there.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Is the Government of the NWT providing any guarantees or any securities on the contracts in Russia?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No.

Oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Justice a question. I made a statement last week about whether there would be a replacement for a constable in Lake Harbour and that there be a native constable available to the community. Has the Minister had a chance to think about if the present constable retires will he have a replacement?

Mr. Minister.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot give the Member an answer today. But I do welcome his support for aboriginal police officers. Last year there was a quota of seven positions in the NWT for the aboriginal constable development program, and I certainly will make every effort to

assist that community, especially if they can identify persons from Lake Harbour who are willing to become police officers, but I have not, as of today, been able to determine what is or is not possible for that community in the coming year.

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question to the Minister of DPW. I have been advised that the Department of Public Works has acquired leases with a company called Husky rentals -- I do not know if it is the company name or if the units are called Husky rental units. I would like to ask the Minister of DPW if he knows for what length of time these leases are in effect.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I get the Member to clarify the question? Where is this?

Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

In Fort Smith.

Mr. Morin.

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

Mr. Koe.

A question to the Minister of Personnel regarding staff houses for sale. Are there any government houses for sale to employees in Inuvik?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Question has been taken as notice. Mr, Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Justice. Just before the break we moved with indecent haste to pass an amendment to the Official Languages Act on the understanding that the federal government would move very quickly on it. Could the Minister indicate to the House at what stage this amendment to the federal legislation is in, in the federal Parliament?

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I should know the answer to that question but I do not, and I apologize to the Member for that. I will have to get back to him as soon as I can.

The question is taken as notice. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I have been advised over the break that there is a position being centralized from the Fort Smith regional office into Yellowknife; basically, the position being a municipal planning engineer. Would the Minister advise me whether he is aware of this intention to centralize this position?