Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. During the 11th Assembly, I am sure you remember that the Hon. Gordon Wray tabled a major economic development strategy. One of the key elements of this strategy was to assist smaller centres in developing their emerging economic potential. Sixteen communities were identified as emerging market communities because they had the most potential for growth. It was recognized that emerging market communities are often at the centre of a regional transportation network and are in position to serve a regional market as well as a local one.

In contrast, Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Hay River and Inuvik are identified as mature market communities that are generally self-sufficient and insular in terms of employment, income and service. I am concerned about the type of reasoning in the government's capital planning process, Mr. Speaker, in assessing the location of major projects. Some feasibility studies have favoured mature market communities because of a wider range of local contractors which would allow socio-economic benefits to be maximized within the boundaries of a single community. There seems to be an irrational fear that in emerging market communities, project funding will flow to contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers located in other communities of the region.

Mr. Speaker, the end result of this thinking is that government will continue to place major institutions and facilities in the major market communities that I mentioned and, to me, coming from a small community, it is like the rich get richer. I think it is imperative that the government ensure that emerging market communities places like Coppermine, Pangnirtung, Rankin Inlet and the rest -- are not penalized because local economies are in the developmental stage. I am encouraged, however, to learn today that there is an effort by government to try to share some of the economic activity surrounding government and capital developments...

Mr. Antoine, your time has expired. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Continue, Mr. Antoine,

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be calling on the Minister of Economic Development and his colleagues to ensure that the basic principles of the economic development strategy are upheld and that economic activity is better concentrated in communities which need new development to realize their full economic potential. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

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

I have a return to oral questions asked by Mrs. Jeannie Marie-Jewell on April 3, 1992. In a meeting on the 7th and 8th of May, I advised the Fort Smith Hunters' and Trappers' Association to hold appropriate general meetings and elections and to bring their organization into good standing with the registrar of societies. Until it is clear which organization represents the majority of the hunters and trappers in Fort Smith, I have instructed my officials to with hold core funding. In the meantime, the department will administer the harvester assistance programs that Fort Smith hunters and trappers are eligible for. Thank you.

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Gargan with respect to assistance to stabilize the Fort Providence church. The church in Fort Good Hope is one of the oldest, most historically significant structures in the Northwest Territories. It was designated as a National Historic Site by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in 1977. On that basis, the federal Department of Environment agreed to a costsharing program and committed a minimum of $100,000 toward the cost of restoration.

The old church in Pelly Bay is an example of early stone church construction on the Arctic coast. The building is now owned by the hamlet. It is no longer a church but is being restored as a community museum.

Because of their historic significance and fragile condition, the buildings in Fort Good Hope and Pelly Bay were identified as priority candidates for restoration. We plan to carry on with restoration of these two buildings. Because of cutbacks, we have not been able to proceed with the larger scale historic building program we first envisioned. However, responding to motions passed by this House, I am pleased to report that we have been able to identify some funds within the museums/heritage activity to also assist with the restoration of Our Lady of Fort Providence Church.

--- Applause

We have advised the community that we will be prepared to make a contribution of $25,000 to help pay for repairs.

Mr. Speaker, I have another return, if I may, asked by Mr. Koe on April 2, 1992. In December 1991, the Beaufort-Delta Divisional Board of Education and Arctic College, Aurora Campus, submitted a proposal to the Department of Education to establish a two-year teacher education program in Inuvik to begin in September 1992. The program proposal requested $908,981 for this two-year period. In addition to this amount, the department was expected to provide student financial assistance and/or education leave for approximately 15 fulltime students and 30 part-time students. Student financial assistance and education leave for those students represents an additional minimum of $600,000 over the two-year period.

During March and April 1992, the department reviewed its fiscal position and informed the Beaufort-Delta Divisional Board and Arctic College that it could not support any new teacher education program initiatives at this time. The department had received one other new proposal to deliver a community-based teacher education program, and this proposal was denied as well. Support for the current community-based teacher education programs which are being offered in the Keewatin, South Slave and Dogrib areas will, however, be continued this year.

The department's capacity to expand the delivery of community-based teacher education programs is determined by the funding available for the development and delivery of teacher education programs and the funding available to provide financial support to teacher education students through the education leave program. The Department of Education is reviewing all training and support programs designed to develop northern educators and will be making recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these programs this fiscal year.

Mr. Speaker, I have one more return to a question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on April 2, 1992, in respect to testing of children with learning disabilities. For a number of years, Northwest Territories children have been referred by private practitioners and/or hospital staff for assessment at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. There is a pediatric rehabilitation team at Stanton Yellowknife Hospital who also assess children but who, at present, do not have the resources to carry out assessments in all the disciplines provided through Glenrose. Children who are initially seen may be referred to the Glenrose Hospital for further assessment.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In light of looking at the Minister's statement on New Directions, decentralization, I was somewhat pleased to hear what efforts this government is taking. However, yesterday in my constituency, eight employees of the NWTPC received indication for layoff notice within the NWT Power Corporation. I would like to ask the Minister of NWTPC to advise this House of the justification for these layoffs.

Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, in regard to the layoffs, these positions and the unit at Fort Smith with the Power Corporation have been evaluated over the past 18 months. The positions were declared not needed, mainly because of the close-down of the Pine Point mining establishment. These positions had been carried over, and the company had gone to see exactly what should be retained and what positions should be released. So therefore the main reason would be that the Pine Point establishment is no longer there and the services are no longer required.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask if there are layoffs in other communities for NWTPC, or is it just isolated to Fort Smith because of the closure of Pine Point?

Madam Minister.

To my knowledge there are two other layoffs in Arctic communities, and I can bring that information. I do not recall which communities. But as new technology and new ability to look after the plant are put in, the staff positions are evaluated. I can let the Member know which communities.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Taking into consideration the Minister's statement on work force adjustment program for GNWT employees, recognizing that NWTPC is not directing GNWT employees but somewhat similar, has the Minister responsible advised the NWT Power Corporation employees that consideration for work force adjustment program would affect those particular employees that have received layoff notices?

Madam Minister.

Mr. Speaker, I will make the commitment to talk to the chairman of the board and relay that question to him.

Oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A question to the Minister of Health. On May 21 st the Minister of Health was at a meeting that included my colleague, Mr. Koe, and Inuvik Regional Health Board members, and there were a number of issues and concerns that were raised at that meeting. Has the Minister met with the executive director of the Inuvik Regional Health Board to discuss those issues and concerns that were raised at that particular meeting?