Good afternoon. Orders of the day for Thursday, June 18, 1992.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to apologize to one of my colleagues on this side of the House. Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, I denied the Member for Nahendeh to continue on his Member's statement. In reviewing the Hansard, I recognized what I thought I had heard was not correct, and with that I would like to apologize for not allowing him equal opportunity to continue with his Member's statement as I have allowed other Members in this House. Thank you.

--- Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with great pleasure that I rise today to speak about the establishment of Nunavut, a dream that we in the Eastern Arctic, can finally see on the horizon. Just six short weeks after the plebiscite, the date when Nunavut will finally be established, once such a faraway dream, now seems so close to fruition. It is for that reason I believe it is incumbent upon us to begin planning now for that day. Virtually every decision we make in this Legislature will have some impact on the future of the eastern territory.

On Wednesday, Mr. Speaker, the honourable Member for Baffin Central spoke quite eloquently about the need for the government to rethink the way its departments, boards and agencies deliver programs in planning for the creation of Nunavut. In that vein, I believe it is also time to promote the evolution of non-government organizations that will play a large and vital role in the development of Nunavut.

At present, umbrella organizations such as the NWT Chamber of Commerce, the NWT Construction Association and the NWT Association of Municipalities represent some of the people of the Northwest Territories. Since Nunavut will be establish far more quickly than any of us can imagine, I believe it is time to establish and, more importantly, fund parallel organizations for the Eastern Arctic to ensure an orderly transition once division occurs.

Similarly, special conferences or events such as the recent Prospects North conference that received grants from this government can only be funded in a similar manner, Once

these new organizations are established, it will be necessary to fund similar conferences and trade shows in the Nunavut area.

Mr. Speaker, people in Nunavut are excited by the challenge of creating a new territory. We are ready for that challenge. It is now time for this government to recognize that Nunavut will soon be a reality and recognize its role in providing support for that eventuality.

Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

I rise today out of grave concern, not only that Yellowknife, these days, seems to be in the news right across the country, but even locally there are concerns that many of the facilities of which we are proud are in danger of being decimated.

The Aven Seniors' Centre had a deficit last year of $30,422. With the current commitments of this government, as I understand them, that deficit will increase to $54,467. That facility was built on the basis of a tremendous amount of volunteer labour and help, and there has been a tremendous voluntary contribution from people throughout this community, and it is exhausted.

There are people there who are not wealthy; probably the average would be about $10,000 a year that people have to live on. Currently, they are paid $376 a month, and even if that were to be increased, Social Services always finds some convenient way to say, "Well, we do not really have to provide you with the resources you need because if you increase your costs, then, of course, we can reduce ours.'

I would like the government to recognize that this place is a very, very important place, not just for Yellowknife, but for all people in the NWT, because it provides a home which is rather unique. It provides 24-hour care for elderly people with medical needs. It keeps people active and able to lead a meaningful life. It recognizes, appreciates and values the cultural background of its people, and it provides affordable medical care and housing in a very home-like kind of environment.

Mr. Lewis, your allotted time has expired.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will not abuse this privilege of being allowed to continue.

Mr, Lewis, you I have not been allowed yet. Are you asking?

I would like to continue and ask for unanimous consent to do so.

The honourable )le Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Proceed, Mr. Lewis.

I will not abuse this privilege. This centre allows for out-of-town elders to move here to be with their families. I know that the Government Leader, herself in her 50s, has made requests so that people she knows from her area can come here to live, to be close to friends and family. Even the mother of one of our ordinary Members, is there enjoying the kind of care that is provided in that facility.

I would like, therefore, to urge all Members of this House to take particular note of this item when we have to deal with it at budget time because I shall be fighting this one and will give it a priority among all the social issues that we have to deal with. Thank you.

Mr. Gargan.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In a return to an oral question the day before yesterday, the Minister of Culture and Communications stated that his department is prepared to contribute $25,000 to assist in the restoration of Our Lady of Fort Providence Church. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Culture and Communications for the $25,000 he has pledged to help pay for repairs. This is a good start. With this $25,000, we can hopefully have the church stabilized by this fall. Then we will finally be able to use the church once again for special events such as weddings, baptisms, and Christmas and Easter services.

On behalf of the citizens of Fort Providence, especially our elders and the Catholic Church, I would like to thank the Minister for this funding. However, I would like to point out that this funding is long overdue and represents only a fraction of the funding we need. It is going to take a lot more than $25,000 to bring the church up to standard. An estimate in 1990 suggested restoration could cost as much as $150,000. Once the church is stabilized, a great deal of work will be required to ensure that the church conforms to current fire code standards. We must also upgrade the church's electrical wiring and repair the roofing. We must also restore the paintings which have suffered since we were forced to close our Lady of Fort Providence Church nearly two years ago.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again tell the Minister that it is a good start, and we are hoping he is sincere in his commitment to finishing this important task. Thank you.

--- Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to conclude the statement that I started yesterday. I also accept the apology by the Member for Thebacha for naying me.

--- Applause

I still have concerns about the feasibility study on the decision that it was based upon. I think it is an inadequate piece of work. I think it is wrong to assume that just because there is a central office in one community, the maintenance area must be located there as well. With the modern convenience of computer link-ups, faxes, electronic mail, there is no need for a maintenance facility to be next door to the operations.

The Government Leader's New Directions indicates that the facility would be developed in co-ordination with new training programs for aircraft maintenance engineer trades at Thebacha Campus. I think the presence of the Thebacha Campus should have no bearing on the decision as to where the location of a heavy maintenance facility should be.

All I wanted to say is that I was hoping the final decision for the location of the aircraft maintenance facility would not be made until the study was reviewed by the communities concerned so that a fair chance would be given to emerging market communities. How else can these communities develop if they are not given a fair chance? Mahsi.

Members' statements. Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Inuvik has close to an equal number of Gwich'in, Inuvialuit and non-aboriginal residents. Each group looks for a different organization to represent their interests: the Gwich'in, the Gwich'in Community Council; the Inuvialuit, the Inuvialuit or Inuvik Community Corporation; and others, the town council. Before land claims were settled, all of these groups worked independently of each other; however, I believe all respected each other's authority.

I would like to describe some examples of renewed cooperation among these three groups. During the Commission for Constitutional Development, all three groups submitted a joint proposal which outlined principles to establish a new governing relationship, such as the areas of jurisdiction that are fundamental to the revitalization, promotion and protection of aboriginal heritage, and the maintenance of democratic principles to ensure that no group or individual shall be excluded from governing the community. More discussions will be carried out in the future to define a new governing structure and authorities for Inuvik.

The two aboriginal organizations are concerned about the perceived lack of commitment by education authorities, their development and instruction of aboriginal languages. For example, there are no aboriginal language instructors in the high school. In fact, there is no aboriginal teacher. The situation continues to undermine the self-esteem of our native youth. Both organizations, in working with educational institutions, agreed to an interim arrangement to hire two halftime language instructors. In the long term, the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit have asked the Official Languages Commissioner to investigate the implementation of the Official Languages Act and the federal-territorial funding agreement. It is hoped that this investigation can produce recommendations that the Legislative Assembly may consider in the near future.

The region requested, as well, a teacher education program to be placed in Inuvik to increase the aboriginal teaching staff...

Mr. Koe, your allotted time has expired.

May I seek unanimous consent to proceed with my statement?

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

... where 70 percent of the students are aboriginal. Without this program, Gwich'in and Inuvialuit will continue to see drop-outs. Government, before getting approval for funding priorities, has stopped any further TEP initiatives without consultation from this Assembly.

The Town of Inuvik, the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit organizations have also decided to participate in fund-raising efforts to build a recreation centre. This long overdue project is in Inuvik's capital plan. However, the current allocation is totally inadequate to build a skating rink, let alone a recreation centre. When the Legislative Assembly considers the capital budget, I hope Members will take into consideration that the existing facilities are condemned and may be closed in the next year or two. The community is willing to provide their fair share of funds to build a recreation facility which should serve Inuvik for many years.

On another initiative, the Town of Inuvik and other tourism organizations, including the two aboriginal groups, formed a steering committee to assist the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in the development of a tourism visitors' centre. The centre will provide regional focus to a tourism industry that is rapidly creating a new economic base. The Inuvialuit and Gwich'in have entered into a joint ownership arrangement for the project. Ownership will ensure that aboriginal heritage is presented in a truly northern fashion.

Mr. Speaker, these initiatives are paving the way for a new partnership among all the ethnic groups in Inuvik, and I look forward to working with the Inuvik partners, which are creating a healthy working environment for the political, social and economic development of the community. Mahsi.

--- Applause

I notice the trend in the last couple of days that Members' statements are going quite often beyond two and a half minutes. I would like to ask Members to try to keep their statements within two and a half minutes because if we are constantly breaking our own rules, I do not think that gives a very good impression, So if I could just ask Members to respect the rules of the House. Thank you, Members' statements. Mr. Bernhardt. A point of privilege. Mrs. Marie Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I realize that I have not set the time for indicating a point of privilege, but I think part of our problem on this side of the House is that the Canadian flag is in our way, and we cannot see the clock to speed up as we do our Members' statements if time is lapsing. Thank you.

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, I think you have made a very astute observation, and one that this House will duly take note of and rectify. Members' statements. Mr. Bernhardt.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about my concerns regarding the decentralization initiatives announced Tuesday by the Government Leader. I have tried, during my short time in this House, to give this cabinet the benefit of the doubt in the planning for the restructuring of northern government. I understand that the job they have is very difficult, and tough decisions are required. Mr. Speaker, I can bide my time no longer.

During the last Assembly, several ordinary Members spoke passionately about the seemingly unequal distribution of money for capital projects and other programs throughout the NWT and, in particular, the Kitikmeot Region. Sadly, this cabinet seems to be continuing this trend. The recent decentralization of government programs ignored the two most economically disadvantaged regions of the NWT; the North Slave and the Kitikmeot. Clearly it is these regions that require the most benefits derived from the decentralization of government programs.

Mr. Speaker, I do not want to sound opposed to any mining venture in my region; I simply say that the people of the Kitikmeot want to build a strong and self-sustaining economy that can survive downturns in the economy. We cannot rely solely on the discovery of minerals that we may have or that may or may not be developed in the future.

Mr. Bernhardt, your time has expired.

I seek unanimous consent to finish my statement.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Continue, Mr. Bernhardt.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is not often that I agree with the former Member for Kitikmeot. However when he stated during the last Assembly that in regard to the distribution of government money and programs, "it would be better if the Kitikmeot became part of the Keewatin Region, or better yet, was considered a suburb of Iqaluit," I think he hit the nail directly on the head. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Antoine on April 2, 1992, concerning student care at Akaitcho Hall. The Member for Nahendeh requested a review of all policies and procedures regarding the supervision and care of students at Akaitcho Hall, with specific references to counselling of students with drug and alcohol dependencies.

In November 1990, an interim proposal regarding the care of students with alcohol or drug dependencies was considered by the administrator and staff of Akaitcho Hall, the board of management and the Department of Education. As a result, a number of workshops on alcohol and drug related dependencies were offered to students. These workshops were useful, but they were not part of the planning approach to improve student care.

The review of Akaitcho Hall, conducted from May 19-21, 1992, will make comprehensive recommendations on the level of student supervision and care at the residence. Many professionals, students, staff, parents and board members were interviewed as part of the review, including Pastor Gavac, who prepared the November 1990 interim proposal. The review will be completed by the end of June 1992.

Mr. Patterson.

This is a return to a question asked by Mr. Lewis yesterday, on the refusal of entry of the Fire Marshal at Giant Mine. On the morning of Wednesday, June 17, 1992, the Fire Marshal, accompanied by the acting chief mining safety inspector and the fire chief of the City of Yellowknife, attended at the Giant Mine to perform inspections. The officials were unable to gain access to the property.

One charge each has been laid pursuant to section 20 of the Fire Prevention Act against Mr. Terry Byberg, mine manager, and against Royal Oak Resources for obstructing the Fire Marshal. The Fire Marshal, the acting chief mining safety inspector, and the fire chief of the City of Yellowknife again attended at Royal Oak on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 17, 1992 and were given access to the property.

As the charges of obstructing the Fire Marshal have been laid, no further comments will be made on this matter by departmental officials or the Minister until the charges are disposed of in court. The first appearance in court of those charged is set for Thursday, July 16, 1992

The Department of Safety and Public Services is continuing to closely monitor safety conditions at Royal Oak Resources to ensure that the occupational health and safety of all personnel are preserved.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Grise Fiord has a problem of not having a policeman in their community. On June 5th I wrote a letter in regard to their concern. Can the Minister of Justice indicate to me if Grise Fiord will be included to have an RCMP there?

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I am as concerned as the Member about the possibility of so-called satellite detachments at communities like Grise Fiord being deprived of their members in the future. I think they are important not only for the community but also for other reasons, including sovereignty.

Mr. Speaker, to answer the Member's question, there has, as of today, been no final resolution of this issue. I am still in discussions with the RCMP about this matter. We are attempting to work out an arrangement which will allow communities like Grise Fiord to still have police services in the coming year, even despite the financial restraint that we are operating under. I will continue working vigorously in that direction, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Renewable Resources is the Minister I wanted to question, but I can direct this to the Economic Development Minister. There is a lot of talk on fishing, and there are bluefish, grayling, jackfish, whitefish, fish of this kind. A lot of these fish are being disposed of, and early this spring there was a meeting in Hay River. Some of the delegates from Providence attended this meeting. This is the reason I wanted to ask the Minister if, instead of disposing of this fish, it can be sold or we could use the stuff for pet food or something. I wonder what they are going to do with this.

Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There have been a number of proposals over the years. I think at one time, in 1985, there was a proposal to ship culled fish and fish that had net marks or cut fish, out on the lake, to Calgary to Red Top Dog Foods. Red Top Dog Foods offered 13 cents a pound at that time, Mr. Speaker, and the freight to get it to Calgary was 15 cents a pound. Fishermen who catch fish on the lake that are not accepted by the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation cannot afford the fuel to haul them off the lake, so there has been a lot of looking at that.

There is an interesting proposal at the present time from a group in Hay River, to start up a company that would process that fish in Hay River, and that is being looked at now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. I have Mr. Dent next.

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, as I told the office of the Hon. Marcel Danis this morning, I was waiting, then I was waiting anxiously, and then I was waiting very anxiously, for a reply on what the federal government intended to do on this very grave situation. I have to inform the House and the Member that as of this moment I have received no reply from the Minister as to what the federal government intends to do. I will advise the House as soon as I receive further information on this. I think the Minister's office is very anxious to find out what is going on.

Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to pose a question to the Minister of Education. Yesterday I asked the Minister of Government Services in respect to the tendering processes for the government. I would like to advise the Minister of Education that I am interested in the

results of an invitation to tender on a catering services contract contracted by Thebacha Campus of Arctic College, which was published in News North on May 25th. I understand the tender call closed on June 2nd. At the same time, I understand that the bid prices that were submitted on this particular contract were not released for public information, and I would like to ask the Minister of Education if he knows why his officials conducted the opening of that bid in that particular manner.

Mr. Allooloo.

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

The question has been taken as notice. Ms. Mike,

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. The board's annual report for 1990 shows total investments of approximately $89 million with approximately $45.5 million in Government of Canada bonds; $16.5 million in provincial, territorial and municipal bonds; and about $28 million in corporate bonds and stock holdings. Does the Minister know what formula is going to be used when it comes time to divide these holdings between NWT Workers' Compensation Board and the new Nunavut Workers' Compensation Board?

Mr. Patterson.

No, Mr. Speaker. I do not know.

Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister make an effort to find out?

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I will certainly make that effort. I believe that perhaps the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Constitutional Development is better qualified to answer that question, but I believe that issues like that are covered in the political accord that was initialled between our government and the Government of Canada and the TFN. I believe there is a process in that political accord which would deal with planning and the transition to a new government. I believe that is the route I will be pursuing in following up on the Member's question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In recognizing that section 7(1) of the Workers' Compensation Act gives the members of the board exclusive jurisdiction over all matters

and questions arising under this act, and that section 60(1) of the same statute gives the board the authority to make any investments, can the Minister explain how he will be able to ensure that his views and those of his cabinet colleagues are even considered during strategic planning on how to divide the investments of the Workers' Compensation Board?

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I think that the division of the Northwest Territories will certainly require legislative change, and I would predict that if there are barriers in the present Workers' Compensation Act to preparing for division and re-allocating the investment portfolio of the Workers' Compensation Board in connection with division, then it would be the responsibility of myself and of this Legislature to amend the legislation so that those barriers do not stand in the way of pursuing the political evolution of the Northwest Territories. So the legislation would and could be changed. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Economic Development. During the recent Prospects North '92 conference, there were approximately 53 speakers and panel participants. There were only three panel participants from the Eastern Arctic, and I believe out of 37 business exhibitors there was one from the Eastern Arctic. In light of this, could the Minister inform the House what options, if any, are being considered for this kind of conference in the Eastern Arctic?

Mr. Pollard.

If the department is approached, Mr. Speaker, it will be given due consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

One of the optimistic notes of this conference was the attendance of the Russian delegates. Could the Minister inform the House what plans are in place, if any, for a follow-up contact with the Russian delegates that came to this Prospects North conference?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, most of the dialogue between the Soviet delegation and people in the Northwest Territories has been done through Ferguson, Simek Clark. We are aware of their aspirations. We have looked at some of their art, and if there are opportunities for the Northwest Territories in the Soviet Union beyond what we have already looked at. we will be following up on it, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

Could the Minister advise the House in what financial way, if any, did he extend support for the development of these contacts? What is our financial commitment to these contacts at the Prospects North conference?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism gave money, and I want to say $50,000, although I will check that number, to Prospects North, to assist them with their conference. To my knowledge, sir -- and I will check again -- I do not believe that we assisted the Soviets. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When will Members of this Assembly get an opportunity to discuss this report?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Minister responsible, you received criticisms from several aboriginal organizations when this report was being developed, specifically from the Dene Nation, Metis Nation and Deh Cho Tribal Council. Could you enlighten this House as to your position on some of these allegations from these groups?

I have a problem with that question, and I will ask the honourable Member to rephrase that question because questions should not refer to allegations.

I am still learning. There were letters received from the Deh Cho Tribal Council and press statements made by the Metis Nation and Dene Nation regarding the Minister's position on working toward a common future. Can the Minister enlighten the House as to his position on these positions presented by these organizations?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Your last supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will there be a phase

two of this process?

Mr. Kakfwi.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome a former colleague to the Legislative Assembly, a cabinet Minister holding many portfolios, a friend to all living things, Mr. Gordon Wray.

--- Applause

Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Social Services. I have indicated that the Aven Seniors' Centre faces a deficit of over $54,000 this year as a result of a reduction of commitment by his department to the running of that centre. There has also been a reduction by CMHC of over $2000 a month. If the centre decides to increase the amount of monthly cost from $376 per month, then that will cause a reduction in the amount of commitment Social Services will make to the centre. And since there are as many as six people on the waiting list, does the Minister have any contingency plans so that those six people can be looked after somewhere else if this centre cannot fund the operation properly?

Mr. Whitford

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Has the Minister, though, since he is aware of the situation - although he may not have all the details, he is aware of this principle, that if the centre decides to raise the amount, even a small amount - is he still committed to the principle that whatever they can raise has to be reduced from the contribution made by his department to that centre?

Mr. Whitford.

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the same subject the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre was discussing, the Minister stated that he has met with the board and the senior officials of the Aven Seniors' Centre. What specific actions will the Minister take to resolve these concerns?

Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

These funding concerns are probably the same across the Territories in these types of facilities. Is the Minister developing, or looking at developing, any new policies or programs to deal with funding of these types of facilities?

Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am also aware that this facility in particular cannot get any capital contributions. The question is, why cannot the Aven Seniors' Centre obtain any capital contributions from the government to fix up and maintain their facility?

Mr. Whitford.

This is your last supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The existing policies also seem to limit the ability of the Aven Seniors' Centre to raise or utilize private funding to maintain their operations and maintenance of the facility. Will the Minister be looking at this aspect also, and maybe look at the legislation and policy?

Mr. Whitford.