(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to say something in regard to the Workers' Compensation Board. Up to recently, anybody that is hunting and fishing, if they do not make more than $10,000, and if they are hurt on the job, they will not be given compensation. In 1979, when people were hunting, things that they trapped for, like lynx, were worth about $1000. Whoever made this kind of money, at that time they would have been helped with compensation. This January, when people that were trapping sold some lynx, they were only worth $100. Judging by that, if we trap a whole bunch of fur, we will be able to earn some compensation. For the Inuit, if they shoot one polar bear they can get $1000. If they get two polar bears they would be able to get compensation.

I do not think it is right, Mr. Speaker. What I am saying is, we would have to trap a lot of fur-bearing animals to get compensation. I am just talking on behalf of the Dene and Inuit people that are trapping. If they want something, they have to hunt for it. For compensation I do not think it is working well for hunters and trappers. That is what I am talking about. The white man's law does not seem to be working well for the Dene.

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

Mr. Antoine.

I would like to seek unanimous consent to go back to Members' statements.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to Item 3, Members' statements. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the economic future of Deh Cho region, and likewise the Mackenzie Valley, is dependent on the rapid development of highways and transportation links. We need to be able to send products and other resources to a market, and we need to attract tourists and other consumers to our scenic and traditional communities. The former government realized the economic promise inherent in an improved transportation system. I am sure that the honourable Member for Amittuq and his officials must remember on October 15, 1990 when Gordon Wray, then Minister of the department, announced four strategic objectives which would guide his new Northwest Territories transportation strategy.

Mr. Speaker, the second objective was a commitment to push back our economic frontiers through highway improvements aimed at linking our resources to their markets. I can quote from Hansard what Mr. Wray said that day. He said, "We are proposing major new highway construction projects to put more communities on the highway map and to provide access to vast areas for tourism and the responsible development of renewable and non-renewable resources." Among the proposed projects was an extension of the Mackenzie Highway to Inuvik, Mr. Speaker. The people of the Deh Cho region believe this public government should keep its word.

Mr. Speaker, I am disheartened by the fact that the current cabinet appears to have turned its back to principles outlined by the previous government's transportation strategy. An example is the decision not to proceed this year with plans to build a bridge across Willowlake River linking Wrigley with Fort Simpson. This project would have been one step toward the sort of development that was the key government objective 16 months ago.

I realize that our government's finances are in a sorry shape, but, so far, most of what we have heard from colleagues on the other side of this House has been regressive talk about down-sizing, attrition, postponement and getting lame. I fully agree with the need for tighter money management at the departmental level, but, Mr. Speaker, this cabinet must stop to realize that if we forget about taking initiatives to develop our northern resource base, we will never be able to sustain our economy over a longer term. Mahsi cho.

Members' statements. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honour one of our distinguished Members of this Legislature. Today happens to be a birthday of the honourable Member for Nunakput.

---Applause

On behalf of her constituents and all the Inuvialuit constituents from the Delta, we have some gifts for her. I would like to present them to the honourable Member. Happy birthday!

---Applause

There will be a new item on the order paper called "Ode to a Premier." Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Pudluk on February 21, regarding Resolute Bay pipeline freezing. I wish to provide an update to Mr. Pudluk on the freezing of the Resolute Bay water pipeline. It was the water supply line between Char Lake pumphouse and the water treatment plant which froze when a check valve at the Char Lake pumphouse failed. Public Works crews were able to thaw the line and restore normal service on February 16th. In the meantime, water to the town site was maintained by trucking water from Char Lake to the water treatment plant. The faulty valve has been replaced. In an effort to avoid future such occurrences, DPW has installed additional alarm systems at the water plant and at the pumphouse. If an alarm goes off, a telephone dialer system places a phone call to DPW personnel. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Pudlat on February 21, 1992, with respect to upgrading of the Lake Harbour airstrip. On Friday, February 21, the Member from Baffin South asked me if the improvements to the Lake Harbour airport he asked about in December were included in the department's capital plan for next year. In my answer to the Member's question in December, I recognized that the Lake Harbour airport was built on uneven ground. At the same time, I pointed out that Transport Canada has certified and licensed the airport for visual flight rules, day and night operations. The slope in the runway is not a danger to safe air carrier service.

In the "Northwest Territories' Transportation Strategy" there is a table on page 54 which outlines a proposed capital spending program for the community airports in the Northwest Territories. The strategy proposes, first of all, to bring all community airports up to a condition where they can meet Transport Canada's licensing requirements for airport certification. Next, the strategy proposes that the Department of Transportation should improve the airports that are certified but below standard for the type of aircraft and the amount of traffic the airport serves. Finally, the strategy identifies the communities that require new airports because the existing airport interferes with the community's safe and orderly growth.

The Lake Harbour airport is included in this last group of airports. The community has a licensed airport that meets its air traffic demand. I agree with the Member that the airport is in a poor location and takes up land that the community could put to much better use. However, the department's efforts must be concentrated on the communities with the most urgent airport needs.

The answer to the Member's question is that improvements to the Lake Harbour airport are not in the Department of Transportation's capital plan for the next year. Thank you.

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Pudlat on March 3, regarding Sanikiluaq community hall. A community hall for Sanikiluaq is not currently in the department's capital forecasting plan. A number of years ago the community was asked whether they wanted a new arena or community hall and they chose an arena as their priority. The Department of Education had plans at that time for the construction of a gymnasium. The new gymnasium was completed in 1988. The new arena is currently scheduled for completion in 1994-95. With the community receiving these two facilities, it is unlikely the department will be able to include construction of a community hall in our budget in the foreseeable future. However, the design and siting of the new arena will allow for the future addition of a community hall when it becomes feasible.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to ask the Minister of Social Services a question on yesterday's statement on social assistance case loads. Part three of the Minister's statement of March 3rd deals with continuation of a five-year agreement with CEIC, Canada Employment and Immigration Commission and Health and Welfare Canada to help social assistance recipients become more self-sufficient. This program sets a priority on training, upgrading and job development skills. Can the Minister indicate which job-related skills will be targeted within this program?

Minister of Social Services, Mr. Whitford.

Oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There have been several people who have shown up regularly in the gallery who are interested in issues related to the Workers' Compensation Board. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board whether he could tell us the process by which the rates or what we call YMIR, yearly maximum insurable remuneration are arrived at under our current set-up.