Good morning. Orders of the day for Friday, April 3, 1992.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism has expressed his willingness to consider ideas from Members in tourism matters. I have a couple of suggestions today. A couple of weeks ago, I was driving back from Whitehorse from the Arctic Winter Games. I came through British Columbia and had to cross the border between British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. I noticed a big difference between the BC side and our side. On the BC side of the border the roadside was dominated by a large, attractive sign that says, 'The Supernatural Splendour of British Columbia Welcomes You.' On the NWT side, there was a rickety, little sign warning drivers not to hit the bison. A little further on there was another sign that said, "Hunting is Not Allowed within a Kilometre of the Roadway." A little while later it said that seatbelts are the law. It was not until a turn in the bend a couple of kilometres past the border that you see a faded, old sign saying, "The Northwest Territories Welcomes You."

This is not much of a welcome, Mr. Speaker. Honourable Members will know that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Highway. There will be increased tourist traffic up and down the route. I believe that the decisions tourists make about how long to stay in a place -- and even how much money to spend while on vacation -- is at least partially dependent upon their first impressions. We are not creating much of an impression with the way our highway roadside is set up, Mr. Speaker.

It is important to me because it is my constituency that they first enter, and I believe it is one of the friendliest and most welcoming areas in the Northwest Territories. We are hoping to attract more tourists with the beauty and tradition of our land and not leave them with the feeling that they have just driven another stretch of highway on a long trip.

I would like to encourage the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, as well as the Minister of Transportation, to review the appearance of the border crossing and consider building a small welcoming centre -- even a temporary one -- on a trial basis...

Mr. Antoine, your time is up.

I seek unanimous consent to, conclude.

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

Thank you. I would like the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, as well as the Minister of Transportation, to review the appearance of border crossings, and consider building a small welcoming centre -- even a temporary one -- on a trial basis to commemorate the 50th year associated with the Alaska Highway. This would be a welcome endeavour on our part for the Northwest Territories, especially my constituency. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have had very intense debate over the last week over health care in the Northwest Territories. I would like to relate to Members a very short anecdote about a very good friend of mine. His name is Merlyn Williams. About a week and a half ago, in British Columbia, he was involved in a very nasty traffic accident. The vehicle he was driving, together with his wife, Joyce, rolled over four times in an area near Revelstoke. They were in hospital, very, very badly injured, for some time. He was given pain killers and all kinds of medications so that the pain would be lessened, Eventually, he was able to come back to Yellowknife to be at home and to get treatment from our local hospital.

I would like to thank the hospital for identifying the source of his pain, which they were not able to identify in the South. He had broken several bones in his neck, which were identified at Stanton Yellowknife Hospital, and he is now getting the care that he should have been given in the first place. Thank you.

--- Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to make a couple of comments with regard to the matter of health care. I believe Members here are all too knowledgeable of the debate that has taken place on the question regarding the services and surgical procedures at Stanton Yellowknife Hospital. I want to say, having read yesterday's Globe and Mail, that the issue is not going away. In fact, it is getting worse rather than better. I think there are many, many complaints that I would like the Minister of Health to review. Even more so, I Would encourage her to seriously consider the recommendation or the matter that I raised yesterday, in which I requested a public inquiry. I do not think it is simply a matter that can be dealt with as an independent review without the people that have been affected by the service, having an opportunity to have their say and having their expression of concern and recommendations as to the procedures that are occurring. The simple fact is that

the services are being provided to every constituency in the Northwest Territories and that each Member has to express a concern with regard to the service -- not to suggest for one moment, Mr. Speaker, that we should not improve the service -- that we have to ensure the safety and security of those people that are to receive the services that we in this Assembly argue as a right for every individual in the Northwest Territories. I wanted to make these particular remarks before we conclude this discussion.

I will be tabling in this House, at the appropriate time, an article from The Globe and Mail with regard to that specific issue.

Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to rise today to indicate that I know we are going to be adjourning today until June. I also want to state, as a Member, that this session has been productive to some degree; however, I do want to state publicly that I am somewhat disappointed with cabinet and some of the Ministers' lack of ability to respond to some of the concerns raised by Members. I want to state to the Minister of Social Services that I was truly disappointed in his inability to reply to our concerns regarding the issues brought forth to the House. I want Members to know that I feel I would be doing a disservice to the public if I leave this House and not address some fundamental concerns of the public.

Therefore, I want Members to be aware that today, I, as a Member, will be requesting consent to deal with a motion of non-confidence in the Minister of Social Services. Thank you.

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

I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Arvaluk on April 2, 1992. The Member is correct in stating that polar bears may not be hunted from an aircraft without the authority of a wildlife research permit. The department intends to issue a wildlife research permit for the telazol study. The hides of these bears may still be sold by the hunters' and trappers' association members using the tags from their quota. Thank you.

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to Question O471-12(2), asked by Mr. Dent on April 2, 1992. The design work for the reclamation of the tailings pond at Rankin Inlet was considered to be a first-of-a-kind pilot project and was completed in house on a leased computer system.

I have a return to Question O477-12(2), asked by Mr. Dent on April 2, 1992, The department will not expand its computer assisted design and drafting capabilities where these can be

contracted with the private sector. Thank you.

Returns to oral questions. Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I have two returns. The first is a return to Question O465-12(2), asked by Mr. Koe on April 1. When finalized, the Northern Accord will provide for a transfer of powers and responsibilities over the management of oil and gas. Management of economic benefits will be an integral part of these responsibilities. Benefits are not an outstanding issue in relation to the Northern Accord. Following is a summary of how this issue has been resolved:

The Inuvialuit and TFN have received assurances that the accord will not interfere with their ability to negotiate participation agreements or Inuit impact benefits agreements in accordance with the provisions of their respective claims.

The Hon, Tom Siddon, Minister of Indian Affairs, has made the commitment to transfer, through the Northern Accord, the additional legislative authority to provide for aboriginal subsurface benefits agreements with respect to oil and gas settlement lands. This government has, in turn, committed to including provisions establishing Gwich'in subsurface benefits agreements in the oil and gas legislation that it would introduce. to the Legislative Assembly following the signing of the accord.

The Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources has been consulting with the Gwich'in Tribal Council in drafting these provisions, which are to be modelled after the proposal raised by the Gwich'in during their claims negotiations. Further discussions are scheduled for April 14. 1992.

For those areas not subject to claims agreements, this government would not support the issuance of any new oil and gas exploration rights without the endorsement of the affected communities on terms and conditions relating to benefits, or on any other relevant issue.

A return to Question O464-12(2), asked by Mr. Koe on April 2, 1992. Mr. Speaker, on February 20, 1991, during the eighth session of the 11th Assembly, I indicated that the government's support for improving health benefits for Metis. I also indicated that there were several steps required before the government could make a decision on expansion of health benefits for Metis residents. These steps included the development of a definition of Metis mutually acceptable to the Metis Nation and the government; a survey to determine who meets the criteria in the definition; specification of the additional benefits; calculation of the costs; and an Executive Council decision on expanded health benefits for Metis.

The previous Executive Council considered the matter further on October 21, 1991, and deferred the item to the cabinet of the 12th Assembly in light of constitutional, legal, financial and other factors.

Mr. Speaker, the provision of Metis health benefits remains under consideration by cabinet. The ability of the government to extend these benefits will be considered as part of the 1992-93 budget review process. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism with regard to a concern raised by one of my constituents with regard to hotel operations. Can the Minister tell the House if there is such a thing as a licence for tourist accommodations, and if there is, is there a fee attached to that? Thank you.

Mr. Pollard. There were two questions, so you can respond to the first or use your own discretion.

Mr. Speaker, there is a tourist establishment licence issued by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. I will take the fee question as notice, sir.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mrs. Marie Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Government Leader. The Government Leader replied yesterday to a written question that I asked in February. Will the Government Leader provide, for the June session, the total amount that has been paid to each chairperson as stated in her circulation of the document she gave to the Members yesterday in the House?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I realize that we were researching a great number of boards, and I will attempt to have that considered by June. Thank you for the notice and time to do that.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is it possible to also indicate the amount paid to contract staff for the particular boards as stated? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Oral questions. Item 6, written questions. Mr. Koe.

I have a written question to the Government Leader regarding payments to chairpersons of agencies, boards and commissions. What were the total amounts paid out to each chairperson over the past fiscal year'? The amount should include honoraria, contract fees, daily per diems for expenses, plus any other payments received for performing their duties. Thank you.

Written questions. Written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Mr. Speaker, a return to Question W22-12(2), asked by Mr. Gargan, and responded to by the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board.

Hon. Dennis Patterson's return to Question W22-12(2), asked by Mr. Gargan on March 9, 1992:

1) Five positions are classified as *management occupations,' as follows: manager, administrative services; manager, rehabilitative services; manager, financial services; manager, information services; manager, claims services. 2) The manager of claims services and manager of financial services positions are occupied by women. 3) The positions classified as 'non-traditional occupations" are: programmer/analyst; programmer; corporate auditor. 4) The corporate auditor position is staffed by a woman who is Metis. 5) Six staff qualify as "indigenous aboriginal" persons, and eight staff qualify as "indigenous non-aboriginal" persons.

Item 8, replies to Opening Address. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to oral questions.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to oral questions. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you, Members. I have a question for the Minister of Renewable Resources. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked the Minister if his department had given any funding to the Fort Smith Hunters' and Trappers' Association. In December, in my reply to the Commissioner's Opening Address, I indicated that the Fort Smith Hunters' and Trappers' Association has been non-compliant with the Societies Act; that they are a group of people in the community who have not had an election for three years. I have indicated non-support for this particular group. I would like to ask the Minister why he allowed his department, on March 31, 1992, to grant $31,500 to the Fort Smith Hunters' and Trappers' Association.

Mr. Ningark,

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe the Fort Smith Hunters' and Trappers' Association has the right to get funding within the Territories as much as any other hunters' and trappers' association. I think we should be very fair when giving money to each of the hunters' and trappers' associations within the NWT.

Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I do not begrudge any hunters' and trappers' association's getting equitable funding. Does the Minister believe that hunters' and trappers' associations that do not abide by the law should receive funding from this government?

You are asking an opinion of the Minister. Mr. Ningark.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the Member is seeking an opinion. I will take the question as notice.

Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs and Constitutional Development in regard to the plebiscite. Will funding be available for a campaign to inform the public in the West about the plebiscite question on May 4th, similar to funding that was made available to TFN?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister for that information, but I think that he mentioned that $1.3 million was spent in the West to develop the constitution if there is division. This $1.3 million is not allocated to provide the necessary information in the West or to do a public campaign on this plebiscite. I say this because a lot of people in my constituency have indicated to me that they do not have all the information that is required to make a really good decision on May 4th when they are going to be voting on the boundary issue.

One hundred and forty-three thousand dollars was allocated to TFN to do their campaign on this plebiscite, and I do not think that this question about expending money is finished yet. I think that if there is division, then the East will probably come back and ask for funding to develop their constitution, and we have already spent $1.3 million. So that is still going to happen.

I think the important thing right now is that the people in the West need that information. We have only one month left for this information to be disseminated to them. So we need funding to provide that information to them in the West so that the people in the West can make a really honest decision. I will ask the Minister again if there will be funding made available to people and groups in the West if they want to do a campaign before May 4th?

If I could ask honourable Members, if they are posing a question, the preamble should be enough to set the stage and provide the background to the question. But question period is not meant to be the time to give a Members' statement. Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Renewable Resources, what are the criteria used to fund hunters' and trappers' associations in the NWT?

Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe the group has to be an association in order to get funding from the department.

Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, is it the policy of the government to fund organizations that are not in compliance with the Societies Act?

Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is not a policy of the government to fund organizations who are not in compliance with the regulations.

Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

If it is not the policy of the department to fund organizations that are not in compliance with the Societies Act, why did he fund the Fort Smith Hunters' and Trappers' Association?

Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take that question as notice and review the matter.

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

I have a question to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, a follow-up to my colleague's questioning re funding for a plebiscite. It is my understanding that in one of the Minister's statements he indicated that if a request for funds is to be made, it should be made by letter. Yesterday the Minister received a letter from western Members asking the Minister to look into providing funds for a western campaign. Has the Minister done anything in response to this letter?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Koe.

I am a bit confused now because in the interim appropriations, and reviewing the items in those amounts, there was an item for TFN, $143,000, to carry out this work approved by this Legislature. In an earlier statement you mentioned that you could not do anything because these motions were passed by a previous Assembly. But this Assembly approved funding for a campaign in the East. Will the western communities be given the same consideration for access to funding?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

It is such a late date now to deal with this, but the Minister has been asked questions throughout this Assembly on this issue. The Minister is a little bit more fortunate than some of us ordinary Members in that you have staff that advise you and can assist you on working on these matters, whereas we have none. It would have been nice if we had been given some advice on how to proceed then, rather than at the 11th hour. We have one more month to try and do something. I have had calls and concerns from my constituency and from other people in the West that I know and talk to on a regular basis. So it would have been nice if we had been able to deal with it.

My question is, if we prorogue today, how can this matter be dealt with in the next week or so? Can it be dealt with in the next week or so?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. We will be proceeding, then, with a motion this afternoon or this morning. Thank you.

That was not a question, Mr. Koe. Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

I have another question for the Minister of Renewable Resources. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked the Minister whether or not his department has given any funding to the Fort Smith Hunters' and Trappers' Association, and noted to him that they had not had a meeting for their membership for the past three or four years. The Minister indicated that as of yesterday it was not, to his knowledge, and the previous day, or this week, his department had given funding. I would like to ask the Minister of Renewable Resources if his department officials advised him, prior to giving funding to the Fort Smith Hunters' and Trappers' Association, that they were going to release this funding of $31,500?

Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To my knowledge, I responded to yesterday's question as honestly as I could. The funding slipped my mind. I know I signed that one, and I apologize to the Member. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask how he can state in this House, two days after he signed to release the funding to the Fort Smith HTA on March 31 st, that he had no knowledge of this funding being granted. Thank you.

Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not a computer. I am a human being, and it just simply slipped my mind. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the Minister is not a computer, and thank goodness for that. I recognize he is a human being, and I recognize that he is an honest human being as well as an individual of integrity. But when he signs documents in his office, documents that allow funding for societies that are in non-compliance, does he not remember the type of documents that he signs for funding given by his department'? Thank you.

Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my practice to read all the documents that I sign; however, sometimes, when I sign a whole bunch of documents, I tend to forget about some of them. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

I would like to ask the Minister if he will ensure to advise his executive assistants or departmental officials that, in future, until the Fort Smith Hunters' and Trappers' Association is in compliance with the Societies Act, or at least have the decency to hold a general meeting for members, that his department will not fund the Fort Smith Hunters' and Trappers' Association.

Mr. Ningark. Order, please, Mrs. Marie Jewell. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said before, I will review the matter and take the question as notice.

The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions.

I have gone through written questions, so I will return to Item 8, replies to Opening Address.

Item 9, petitions.

Item 10, reports of standing and special committees.

Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table Tabled Document 47-12(2), an article from The Globe and Mail, Thursday, April 2, 1992, titled, "NWT Orders Abortion Inquiry."

Tabling of documents. Item 13, notices of motions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, April 6, 1992, I shall move the following motion: Now therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Baffin Centre, that this Assembly formally revoke the pleasure of the Assembly from the appointment as an Executive Member of the Hon. Tony Whitford; and further, that this Assembly recommends that a new Member be chosen to sit on the Executive Council during the June session.

Notices of motions. Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, April 6, 1992, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that this Legislative Assembly recommend to the Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs and the Executive Council that they consider providing funding, when requested, to individuals or organizations in the West to enable them to provide basic information on the May 4, 1992 plebiscite on the boundary to divide the NWT.

At the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to proceed with this motion today.

Notices of motions.

Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Before we get into motions, we will take a short break.

--SHORT RECESS

I call the Assembly back to order. Item 15, motions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to proceed with my motion regarding funding to individuals and organizations in the West on the May 4th plebiscite issue.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to proceed with his motion. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that this Legislative Assembly recommend to the Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs and the Executive Council that they consider providing funding, when requested, to individuals or organizations in the West to enable them to provide basic information on the May 4, 1992 plebiscite on the boundary to divide the Northwest Territories.

Your motion is in order, Mr. Koe. To the motion, Mr. Koe.

I made my comments this morning in question period. The honourable Member who seconded the motion made his comments as well. I think the issue is fairly straightforward. This is the advice the Minister requested or direction that he wanted us to proceed in. It is the direction we have taken. Thank you.

Seconder to the motion, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I made my comments this morning; however, I just want to stress that people in the West have approached me and want to know as much information as they can, so that on May 4th they will be making an informed decision on the historical event of the vote on the boundary. I think funding is required -- even though for a short period of time -- to try to get out the information that people in the West require. Thank you.

To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. Mr. Pudluk

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to support this motion because the plebiscite on May 4th is an historic event. It is an especially important day for our constituents. We have consulted with our constituents and have been asked to do our job in the Legislature. If we misinform our constituents, they are not going to be well informed and will not know what to do on voting day. The people of the Northwest Territories should be well-informed and well aware of the plebiscite on May 4th to divide the Northwest Territories. The people of the Western Arctic and their elected representatives have to be well aware so that

they can consult with their constituents regarding the plebiscite. For this reason, I support the Member for Inuvik.