Good afternoon. Orders of the day for Thursday, March 5, 1992. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Ningark.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to fulfill a commitment I made to this House. As Minister responsible for the Status of Women I said I would consult with women's groups to get first hand their comments and concerns on the situation involving PaulQuassa, his recent court case, and his position within the Tungavik Federation of Nunavut.

I can tell you that the women I spoke to were very concerned about the fact that Mr. Quassa received an absolute discharge from the court, concerned about the message this sends toothers who may commit offences of this type, about whether there are consequences for such actions.

Mr. Speaker, I share the concerns expressed by the leaders of NWT women's organizations and others about what sorts of messages we send to those who commit offences against women. But while I am concerned with what happens to offenders in the courts, I am also aware that the Northwest Territories has the highest rate of imprisonment in Canada, and that even with that rate, we still have a serious problem with offences involving violence. So I want to direct our efforts toward what we do about the attitudes which give rise to these offences, what we do to prevent the assaults, what we do to change people's behaviour.

--- Applause

Thank you. In the gallery today Members will join me in welcoming Rita Arey, president of the Northwest Territories Status of Women Council; and Lynn Brooks, executive director of the Northwest Territories Status of Women Council. We also have with us Mr. Jack Anawak, Member of Parliament for Nunatsiaq. We have with us, Lauren Taillefer and her class from the adult learning centre in Hay River.

--- Applause

Ministers' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the 1992 Arctic Winter Games will be held March 16 to 22 in Whitehorse, Yukon. As Minister responsible, I am pleased to provide Members of the Assembly with an update on our NWT team to this premier trans-Arctic sport and cultural event.

Mr. Speaker, our NWT Team consists of 308 athletes, coaches and mission staff, who will compete in all 17 sports at the 1992 Arctic Winter Games. Athletes on our team come from 34 different communities from all regions across the Northwest Territories. I am pleased to note that community representation on our team has steadily increased. In 1980, only 20 communities sent athletes to the games. The competitive success of our athletes from the smaller communities in earning a spot on the NWT team is only one indication of this government's success in providing facilities, coaching and competitions to all residents of the Northwest Territories. Regional representation on our NWT team is as follows: Baffin, 18; Keewatin, 35; Kitikmeot, 12; Inuvik, 27; Yellowknife, 126; Fort Smith/Hay River, 48; and Mackenzie, 41.

Mr. Speaker, this week I have provided each MLA with a list of participants from their constituency. In fact, every Member of this Assembly, except two, has representation on the team. As well, our NWT team will be complemented by a cultural performance group of 11 who will form part of the major cultural program planned in conjunction with the games.

The success of the Arctic Winter Games, however, should not be judged solely on the composition of our final team that has earned the right to compete in Whitehorse. The Arctic Winter Games have earned the importance they hold throughout the North because they involve mass participation in a series of regional and territorial trials; for example, those held in December and January to determine the final team for these games. Over 2400 athletes, coaches and officials from 47 communities competed in the regional and territorial trials for the right to represent the NWT at the 1992 Arctic Winter Games. The Arctic Winter Games territorial trials are the single largest sporting event in the Northwest Territories.

I am sure all Members will join me in wishing all athletes the very best of luck in their upcoming competitions, and even if they do not bring home the gold ulu, I am sure they will represent us well.

--- Applause

Ministers' statements. Minister Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 1977 the United Nations passed a resolution recognizing March 8 as the day for celebrating women's rights. All Northerners should be proud of the contribution women have made and are making in their communities. They are providing commitment and dedication, not only in this House, but in our schools, in the economy, in social development and in keeping our families strong.

The NWT's theme this year is "Celebrating Together." For the week of March 5 to 16 women in the Northwest Territories will be participating in a number of activities. I encourage all Members to join the celebration in their home communities and in Yellowknife. Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my congratulations to northern women on this International Women's Day. Thank you.

--- Applause

Ministers' statements. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to voice the concerns of the ordinary Members' caucus over the flippant attitude of cabinet members in responding to questions or concerns from MLAs on this side of the Assembly. Mr. Speaker, I would remind my honourable colleagues that each and every MLA in this Assembly was elected to represent his or her constituents to the best of his or her ability, not to merely follow a course charted by the Members of the cabinet. I would like to remind my honourable colleagues that when an ordinary Member asks a question, or raises concerns, he or she is doing so on behalf of the citizens of the Northwest Territories. In doing this, it deserves a prompt, complete and informative answer, not a hollow, flippant joke.

When a Member such as Mr. Lewis voiced concerns over a government slogan which he felt was inappropriate, as he did yesterday, his concern deserves consideration by the Minister or cabinet, not a trite comment such as Mr. Whitford's remark, and I quote: "You would find fault with the Lord's Prayer."

I could go on at length, Mr. Speaker. Members of cabinet have provided many more examples in the past few weeks. Instead, I would urge honourable colleagues to keep in mind that all MLAs represent the people of this land, and our concerns are not to be dismissed out of hand.

--- Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, please tell me if I am not following the rules properly. I am not sure if this is appropriate under Members' statements. This is directed to the Minister of Justice. There is an RCMP native constable in Cape Dorset. This community is the first in Baffin to have a native RCMP. The native RCMP constable in Sanikiluaq will be retiring shortly. The people of Lake Harbour have been concerned about having a native RCMP constable in their community. Before the native RCMP constable retires, the people of Lake Harbour have requested another native RCMP constable to be placed in that community because there would be fewer interpreter services required in Lake Harbour, especially with regard to confidential client consultations. The people of Lake Harbour would like to get another native RCMP constable as soon as the present native constable retires. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Members' statements. Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just like a session, birthdays cannot be avoided. They just come. Therefore, I would like to wish Ms. Mike a happy birthday, and present her with a little gift.

--- Applause

Members join with Mr. Arvaluk in wishing Ms. Mike the best on her birthday. Members' statements.

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I am not representing only one community, and I have a question for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. I have been asked many times by the communities whether there is an economic development officer for those communities. This is my question directed to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Thank you.

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will take the question as notice and get back to the Member. Thank you.

The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is March 5, which is my birthday, Mr. Speaker, the sixth day after the deadline imposed by the Minister, who has been attempting to force community-based organizations to sign alcohol and drug contribution agreements to which they are opposed. I have a question for the Minister of Social Services: What is the status of contribution funding to the alcohol and drug projects in Pangnirtung and lqaluit?

Minister of Social Services, Mr. Whitford.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Mr. Speaker, was it that they have not signed, or have they? The 29th came and went, yes; we all know that.

Mr. Whitford.