Good afternoon. Orders of the day for Wednesday, March 25, 1992. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ministers' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in December, I circulated a discussion paper on access to government to my colleagues in the Legislative Assembly. It contained suggestions for the development of a bill which would combine access to information legislation with a process for assisting the public. We are a small population, but a 'big' territory. We are looking to develop a model which will address the distinct needs of the people of the Northwest Territories.

In principle, access to information legislation takes people to the first step in the process of examining government actions; that is, it gives them a way to obtain the documents. Many, if not the majority of public concerns, however, go beyond getting copies of government papers. Getting the documents does not necessarily solve problems or answer questions.

As you will see from the discussion paper, it proposes that these next steps be within the powers of an 'access to government commissioner' or 'ombudsman,' appointed by and reporting directly to this Assembly. Broad powers of investigation and access to government would be included. A network for intake of complaints or requests would be established, using existing resources wherever possible.

At a time when we are seeking ways of improving the process for government accountability and access, and, at the same time, working in an atmosphere of fiscal restraint, it is doubly important to find creative solutions.

Later today, I will be tabling the discussion paper. As a next step, I will be consulting on it. This way, members of the public as well as the government, will have an opportunity to consider and comment on the philosophy and direction of the initiative. With that assistance, we will be better able to shape the proposal before a more formal process begins. We will aim to introduce a bill in the fall. Qujannamiik.

Ministers' statements. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome a group of students in the gallery. The students are from Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada; and from Brazil, Japan and South Africa. They are visiting Yellowknife under the sponsorship of the Rotary northern experience program.

--- Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Dent.

Members' statements. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

My personal experiences with the Kazan River, which is what the book is about, are limited to the Kazan Falls; however, I have had the experience of capsizing on the river in early summer. I do not think I can begin to tell you how cold it is when you fall into that river.

I have known the author, Mr. Pelly, now for about 10 years, and get to see him every year when he has completed another of his trips down one of the many rivers which flow into Baker Lake.

The book, "Journey Into An Emerging Land", explores the natural and cultural history of the Kazan River. The story begins 7000 years ago when the last ice age ended and the ice retreated from what is now the Keewatin. Since then, a new landscape has formed; vegetation, birds and animals arrived, and both Inuit and Dene people came to live and hunt. These stages in the history of a Barren Lands' river are told by different scientists, each one of whom has travelled and studied the Kazan River. Much of the field work behind the book was done by Operation Raleigh which is an international expedition for youth. Never before has such a complete description of an Arctic river been published. Added to this are the thoughts, sketches and impressions of young people from all around the world who have paddled down the Kazan River. They visited Baker Lake for a week at the end of their trip, and built two playgrounds which the children of that community will be using for many years to come.

His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, wrote the foreword in which he explains the importance of this book...

Mr. Arngna'naaq, your time has expired.

I seek unanimous consent to continue with my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. Referring to the mystery of the North and, specifically, the mystery of the Kazan River Valley, the Prince of Wales writes: "To seek solutions of that mystery is important both for the land and for its inhabitants. Only in the quest to understand, do people develop a respect. The more we understand the unique environment that has emerged in the Arctic Barren Lands, the more we will value that wilderness. Only in establishing a record of the human life that once depended on that environment, can we ensure the preservation of a cultural heritage unlike any other in the world. The valley of the Kazan River today is a wilderness; no one lives there and few travel there. The mystery of the emerging land endures. Its natural and cultural heritage is rich. In an awareness of that heritage lies the key to its preservation." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is in response to Question O268-12(2), asked by Mr. Pudlat on March 5, 1992. There are currently eight economic development officers serving 14 Baffin communities, of which three positions are serving the Baffin South riding. The department has an EDO stationed in Cape Dorset, and an officer serving Lake Harbour from Iqaluit.

The department has also entered into a contract with the Hamlet of Sanikiluaq to hire a community business development officer. This officer will work for the hamlet on economic development projects and issues. Hiring for the Sanikiluaq community business development officer is under way. Sanikiluaq will participate in the hiring process.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to Question O264-12(2), asked by Mr. Gargan on March 4, 1992. An economic development officer was hired in November 1991, for the community of Fort Providence. The EDO, Mr. Victor Sudermann, has been working out of Fort Smith and has been in Fort Providence on several occasions. Mr. Sudermann will be posted full time in Fort Providence as soon as office space is available.

Arrangements for office space have been made, and we anticipate that the EDO will move into the new DIGAA Enterprises building in Fort Providence by the end of March. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin,

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to Question O339-12(2), asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on March 24, 1992. The lease for the Husky rental units expires on August 31, 1995.

I have a return to Question O97-12(2), asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on February 20, 1992. The reasons for amending the business incentive policy were to:

a) provide for a better enforcement of the policy in order to ensure that the benefits of the policy are extended only to bona fide northern businesses and that "storefront" businesses do not benefit;

b) recognize the additional costs of operating in the smaller northern communities by providing a level of local preference;

c) ensure that all contracting organizations follow the GNWT preference policies so long as they receive the majority of their funding from the GNWT;

d) provide financial support, through the reinvestment of corporate earnings, to the northern economy.

Thank you

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to Question O333-12(2), asked by Mr. Gargan yesterday. Mr. Gargan expressed his concern for the well-being of Ms. Kitty Nowdluk-Reynolds, whose complaint to the RCMP Public Complaints Commission is being heard in Iqaluit now. I have contacted the RCMP and have been informed that Ms. Reynolds' expenses for legal counsel are being covered by the commission.

Mr. Gargan asked specifically whether professional and personal assistance will be provided by my department to Ms. Reynolds, if she requests it. There are two specific victims' programs under the mandate of my department. One is the Victims' Assistance Committee. Money from a surcharge on fines is disbursed to organizations for training and other initiatives, so that victims may be assisted at the community level. The other is under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act, a program which allows victims of crime to make application for losses suffered by them as a result of a criminal action against them. This is a program in which we respect the wishes of victims to maintain a certain amount of confidentiality. Other than that, we do not have the mandate or resources to step in and lend assistance.

I do appreciate the honourable Member's concern for the well-being of Ms. Nowdluk-Reynolds. I share that concern, but it is now a matter for the commission to deal with, and it is not appropriate for me to say anything further on it at this time. Thank you.

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

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I would not expect the Member to provide me with numerous examples of that kind to encourage me to pursue his request. I would note, though, that there was quite a lot of consultation that went into the development of this program among various agencies involved in the administration of justice, and I would feel obliged to consult again in order to complete an earlier evaluation, which would take a little bit of time. But I have taken careful note of the Member's eloquent statement today, and I can assure him that I will see what I can do to complete an earlier evaluation than had been planned initially. Thank you.

Oral question. Mr. Arngna'naaq.