Good afternoon. Now this House will come to order. Item 2, budget address. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker before presenting the first O & M budget of the 12th Assembly, I want to thank my Cabinet colleagues and Members of the Legislature, and in particular the Standing Committee on Finance for their advice and recommendations.

Mr. Speaker, many of the items dealt with in the budget either originate from, or were improved by the input we received during the past few months.

As you know this has not been a normal budget year. Our 1992-93 main estimates are being tabled much later than usual. The extra time was needed in order to include fundamental changes in the budget. Changes that could not be made without careful consideration, consultation and extensive analysis.

We had to be sure of returning to a balanced budget within two years without seriously compromising existing social obligations. We did not want to unduly restrict future initiatives that may be needed to help the territories adjust to rapidly changing social, political and economic circumstances.

Mr. Speaker, shortly after we were elected last November it became very clear that our expenditure growth was much higher than our expected revenue growth, largely because of the reductions in the growth of our formula financing grant. Faced with a projected deficit of over $50 million, we had to find ways to put our books in order and return to a balanced budget by 1993-94.

Mr. Speaker, we have done that. The budget that I am presenting today totals $1.14 billion, it meets the government's deficit target of $25 million for 1992-93 and the framework for a balanced budget for 1993-94.

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Mr. Speaker, over the last nine months this Assembly has come to grips with a difficult fiscal situation. With continued cooperation and resourcefulness we stand an excellent chance of regaining a good degree of financial stability.

The early focus of this government has been on reducing the costs of doing business, while maintaining essential programs and services to those most in need, particularly in the smaller, more vulnerable communities that we represent.

Collective agreements with both major unions have played a large role in helping us to meet our objectives. Negotiated collective agreements allowing for no salary increases in 1992-93 and for a 1.8 percent increase in 1993-94 are presently in the ratification process. They demonstrate the responsible and cooperative approach of the unions and government employees in the face of our difficult fiscal position.

Mr. Speaker, to achieve our budget target in 1992-93, 160 positions were eliminated, 137 of which were vacant as a result of hiring freezes. The reduction is expected to save an estimated $8 million.

In addition to reductions in positions, other measures have been necessary. We have carefully examined government expenditures to determine where we can save money without unduly affecting services to the public. Some examples of measures we have taken include, the introduction of a published fee schedule listing what government will pay to moving companies for relocating government staff. This step is similar to procedures in other jurisdictions and is expected to save us more than $1 million annually.

Reorganizing and down-sizing the Department of Public Works to achieve greater efficiency and a savings of $1.4 million annually. We have also significantly reduced the number of phone lines in use and implemented a requirement to use less expensive telephone equipment for an expected savings of $400,000 per year, and reduced expenditures in buildings and works maintenance without affecting the health and safety of clients, the public and employees for an estimated savings of $1.8 million.

Overall, Mr. Speaker, government spending has been reduced by close to $30 million. However difficult these expenditure reductions have been, they have allowed us to continue to support service levels in other vital areas.

Mr. Speaker, we are determined to continue our examination of government and programs for cost saving measures and all Members are encouraged to continue identifying areas that might lead to future reductions in government spending.

An example is the motion by Mr. Ludy Pudluk, a person whom I am sure you know very well, Mr. Speaker, to regulate expeditions in the Northwest Territories. Legislation and regulations are now being examined to see what can be done to reduce search and rescue costs paid by the Northwest Territories for expedition members who are lost or find themselves in trouble. As you know, it is presently impossible to recover those costs.

Despite efforts to reduce government expenditures, Mr. Speaker, some funding increases are absolutely necessary. Budget increases in the following areas demonstrate the government's commitment to supporting key social, educational and community programs.

In the area of social services, Mr. Speaker, as a result of a recent food price survey across the Northwest Territories, social assistance rates for food allowances will be increased by five percent at a cost of $1 million.

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Funding increases are also included to raise the rates paid to foster parents by 20 percent. Foster care rates, Mr. Speaker, have not changed since 1987, yet costs associated with caring for children have been increasing steadily. A funding increase of more than $1.2 million will provide more support to foster parents for a very demanding task as well as other increases necessary for the well-being of children in care.

The budget also includes a base adjustment of $200,000 to fund an inflationary increase in the senior citizens' supplementary benefit from $107.50 per month to $125.00 per month. Mr. Speaker, I should explain there is a typographical error here, that in fact was handled by supplementary appropriation last year, September 1, retroactive to the first of April 1991. The line that is really important and that is missing is this, after $125.00 per month last year, there will be a further base adjustment to increase the rate from $125.00 to $135.00 effective April 1, 1992, and that will be retroactive, Mr. Speaker. I do apologize to the House for that typo.

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Mr. Speaker, an additional $1 million has been allocated to help fund the operations of new senior facilities across the Northwest Territories, in Fort Smith, Fort Franklin, Arviat, Iqaluit and on the Hay River Reserve.

More than $200,000 will be used to operate three new safe houses for battered women in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Inuvik, and over $700,000 has been budgeted for the operation of the new Hay River Reserve Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centre.

Mr. Speaker, in the area of health, it is no secret that the demand for health services throughout Canada and the Northwest Territories continues to grow at a phenomenal rate and health care costs are increasing at a similar pace.

Our costs, Mr. Speaker, are being driven by a number of factors. They include increased rates at provincial hospitals and increases in the volume of services provided to N.W.T. residents in those institutions; increases for the cost of airfare for patients travelling from their home community to the nearest treatment centre; physician fee increases and an increase in the number of physicians practising in the Northwest Territories; and increases in the cost of operation of regional health and hospital facilities mainly due to negotiated collective agreement adjustments.

As a result, Mr. Speaker, this budget includes an increase of about $25.3 million for the Department of Health, which is offset by departmental reductions of $1.4 million over last year's Main Estimates. About $18.9 million of this growth was reflected in Supplementary Estimates in 1991-92.

Mr. Speaker, in an attempt to address escalating health costs, the Department has undertaken a number of initiatives such as enhancing existing and implementing additional specialist programs and services at Stanton Yellowknife Hospital in an attempt to reduce the cost of health services being provided to territorial residents in the provinces; establishing a medicare monitoring and review capability; and implementing strategies for the improved management of medical transportation.

At the same time, we are attempting to respond to community recommendations in the health care field. For instance, a birthing project will be undertaken in Rankin Inlet on a trial basis. Nurses trained in midwifery will work with traditional nurses from the community. They will provide birthing services locally for low-risk maternity cases as an alternative to medical evacuations. In addition, Mr. Speaker, we are looking forward to the recommendations from the Special Committee on Health and Social Services.

In the area of education, funding to Northwest Territories school boards will increase by more than $3 million dollars in 1992-93. Maintaining service levels in the face of increasing enrolments is essential.

This budget also includes an increase of more than $750,000 in funding for the student financial assistance program, in order to provide financial support for the growing number of students who are going on to post-secondary education. As well, $800,000 has been budgeted to provide grade extensions in Sanikiluaq, Cambridge Bay, Coppermine, Fort Good Hope, Fort Simpson, Broughton Island and Rae Edzo.

Grade extensions, however, are not enough. Young people in the Northwest Territories are our most valuable resource. Not only do we have to extend grade levels, we must make sure that the quality and standards of education are maintained and are consistent throughout the Territories.

In order to do this, we are reviewing, revising and upgrading a number of curricula. We are also participating in a national program that will indicate where our students stand in relation to students across the country and provide us with a basis for improvement. The Minister of Education will be outlining his plans in these areas later in this session.

Mr. Speaker, in June the Premier announced our commitment to making fundamental changes in how government is structured and how it delivers services. These changes are needed so that less money is spent on administration, so that more of the benefits of government spending reach the regions outside of headquarters and so that the residents of the Northwest Territories are provided with adequate levels of service.

We intend to achieve these changes through consolidation of government departments and decentralization of government programs. By consolidating the Department of Public Works and Government Services, we will achieve an initial savings of eight headquarters person years, four regional person years and over $800,000 in the 1993-94 fiscal year. Savings in the 1992/93 year will be lower, since there will be one-time transitional costs.

Consolidating the Department of Culture and Communications and Education will result in initial savings of three headquarters person years and $300,000 in 1993-94. More savings will be achieved following a functional review of all combined operations which will take place over the next several months.

Mr. Speaker, since the movement of the Corrections Division from the Department of Social Services to the Department of Justice is a transfer, and not a consolidation, it is not expected to yield immediate savings. However, substantial long-term cost reductions are expected from improved coordination between the police, the courts and the corrections system. In particular, the investment in, and development of, a viable community justice and corrections system should keep more offenders out of jail and return them more quickly to a constructive place in our communities.

Mr. Speaker, these consolidations took place after the Standing Committee on Finance began its review of the 1992-93 budget. As a result, departmental consolidations will be reflected in the 1993-94 Main Estimates documents. Nevertheless, Mr. Speaker, the Ministers responsible and the new management of the consolidated departments will be able to speak to all components of the combined departmental budgets during Committee of the Whole review of the 1992-93 operations and maintenance estimates.

Decentralization, Mr. Speaker, will have a price tag. I would like to point out that we do not expect to decentralize without some up front costs. Regardless, Mr. Speaker, we are committed to this course of action and expect that the boost to the local economies of the communities involved will be a worthwhile investment in the long-term.

The decentralization initiatives will involve the movement of about eighty positions from Yellowknife to other communities. Specifically, positions will be relocated to Rankin Inlet, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik, and Iqaluit.

The operations targeted for decentralization include P.O.L., the Public Utilities Board, the Liquor Licensing Board, Marine Operations, Arctic College Administration, the Science Institute, the Highway Transport Board and Health Insurance Services.

In addition to decentralization of existing government operation, Mr. Speaker, a territorial airports program training centre in Baker Lake will involve the creation of four permanent jobs in the community and the enrolment of about ten students, and the required number of instructors, on a year-round basis.

Planning is also well under way for two large projects in Wrigley and Fort Smith that have significant regional training and employment potential.

Five million dollars has been allocated in 1993-94 to the Wrigley Highway Extension Project. The extension will combine special training and employment measures with large-scale highway construction projects. The Chief and Band Council at Wrigley have been active throughout the summer months, meeting with government to identify training needs, employment opportunities and local benefits from this construction activity.

Considerable progress has also been made in planning the Aircraft Maintenance Facility in Fort Smith. The Community of Fort Smith has been very supportive of this project. The maintenance facility will provide significant employment, training and business opportunities and these opportunities are currently being investigated and developed.

Mr. Speaker, almost $8.5 million will be spent under the new Economic Development Agreement in 1992-93 and the Northwest Territories Development Corporation will be investing the more than $8 million dollars which was previously approved in the 1992-93 Capital Budget.

In the Keewatin, research is being carried out on the development of a fishery. Fish stocks are being identified and the existing char fishery expanded. The Northwest Territories Development Corporation is establishing a fish/meat processing facility in Rankin Inlet to serve the region. The plant will improve employment in outlying Keewatin communities as well.

In the Baffin fishery, a five year exploratory program is currently under way at 25 sites to identify fish species and to determine commercial possibilities.

Mr. Speaker, at this point, I would like to make a few comments on federal-territorial fiscal relations.

Members are well aware of the fact that our deteriorating fiscal position was caused by severe reductions in the growth of federal transfers under the Formula Financing Agreement. These reductions were the result of changes and to formula financing agreement. These reductions were the result of changes imposed on the formula by the federal government. I met with both the federal Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, over the summer, and outlined key problems we are facing because of changes to the formula financing agreement. Officials of the Department of Finance have also met with federal officials to discuss all areas of the formula that are having a negative effect on the growth of our funding. Disputed billings for Indian and Inuit hospital services and federal funding cuts in the new social housing continue to cause us great concern. The health billing dispute centres on the terms of the health transfer and related funding agreements. The amounts owing to the government under these agreements continue to increase, and early resolution of the dispute is important to our fiscal integrity. We are making every effort to settle this matter by negotiation, at this point, Mr. Speaker, I would say that there has been a development in this area since the budget speech was printed, and I would advise the House that last week we were told by Mr. Richard Van Loon, the Assistant Deputy Minister of D.I.A.N.D., that he would not move off his position on the health billings dispute. Consequently, I have written a letter to Mr. Siddon telling him that we will file the necessary court papers by October the first of this year.

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Federal funding cuts and new social housing announced in the 1992 federal budget would mean a reduction of almost 60 percent in the number of jointly funded new social housing units in the Northwest Territories by 1993. Since that announcement, the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has been actively, and I might say aggressively, assuming the reinstatement of federal funding for new social housing units. It is my understanding that the Federal Minister of Housing will be requesting a reinstatement of funding to 1991 levels because of the unique housing needs of territorial residents. Failure on the part of the Federal Government to resolve these issues satisfactorily will force the Northwest Territories into a precarious fiscal situation. Mr. Speaker, there are a number of revenue initiatives contained in this budget. Earlier this year, I introduced a ten percent increase in property taxes in those areas where the territorial government collects the tax. The rates in these areas are still significantly lower than those in the seven municipalities with their own taxing power. In addition, this Legislature is aware of the planned increase in the Insurance premiums Tax. This change has already been placed before this House as part of the amendment the Insurance Act tabled in February. Once approved, the tax paid annually on fire insurance premiums by insurance companies licensed in the Northwest Territories will increase from one half percent to one percent. The tax on all other insurance premiums will increase from two percent to three percent. Changes to the Insurance Act scheduled to come into effect January 1, 1993, will result in an expected increase of $250,000.00 to government revenues. In addition, liquor commission mark-ups of wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages, will be increased by ten percent. This change...

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...effective midnight tonight should result in an additional $1.3 million dollars per year in annual revenue, or about $830,000.00 in the current fiscal year. Higher prices for alcoholic beverages will help in our battle to lower consumption rates in the Northwest Territories, will hopefully help to reduce some of the damage done to our society, and the needless drain on our social and health budgets directly related to alcohol abuse. Mr. Speaker, I am also announcing the introduction of a payroll tax of one percent of all employment income earned in the Northwest Territories. Legislation to implement this tax effective July 1, 1993 will be introduced in the next session. A payroll tax to be collected by employers is an advantage over the existing personal income tax regime because it will be paid by all employees working in the Northwest Territories. It will correct the situation of having many individuals who work in isolated work sights, or take seasonal construction jobs in the north, but who do not pay Northwest Territories income tax.

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Mr. Speaker, I am also announcing a one percentage point increase in our personal income tax rate, effective January the 1, 1993. The increase is the first since 1990. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the cost of living in the Northwest Territories is very high. In order to provide taxpayers in the north with some relief, I am announcing a new territorial tax credit which will become effective July 1, 1993. When it is fully implemented, individuals who live in the Northwest Territories will receive a tax credit of up to $645.00, depending on income. The credit will be fully refundable. In other words, taxpayers who report income as residents of the Northwest Territories on their tax returns will be eligible to receive it, even if they have no income tax payable. Legislation to implement this change will be tabled in the next session of the Legislative Assembly. The combined effect of the new payroll tax, the increase in personal income tax, and the new tax credit, will produce a revenue increase estimated at $3.5 million dollars per year once they are completely in place. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, Cabinet and ordinary Members and Public Servants have spent many hours and much energy in the past year to develop solutions to avoid a fiscal crisis. We have had to make a number of difficult decisions, and there are more that are going to have to be made if we expect to meet our target of a balanced budget in 1993-94. I believe we will be successful. Finally, Mr. Speaker, we cannot lose sight of the exciting investment opportunities that exist in the Northwest Territories. The Northwest Territories offers unique opportunities. In mining, Mr. Speaker, its huge land mass has barely begun to be explored. Even in the current and favourable environment created by low prices and strong international competition, firms are continuing to explore, and some new properties may be reaching the development stage. Gold, lead, zinc, oil and gas continue to attract investors. The discovery of diamonds in the vast area between Rae-Edzo and Coppermine has unleased the greatest staking rush in the history of Canada. We must continue to encourage all forms of investment, such as mining in the North Slave region, the Keewatin and Kitikmeot; fisheries in the Keewatin and Baffin; world class diamond prospects near Yellowknife; hydro plants in the Rae/ Lac la Martre area; development of the Cameron Hills oil and gas fields; and the marketing of arts and crafts products domestically and internationally. In the renewable resource sector, there are rich opportunities for improving employment, fur harvesting, fishing, the lumber industry, and tourism. The opportunities in these areas have barely been touched, and they are of particular importance to aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories who form a majority of our population. Mr. Speaker, this is not the time to be standing still. Governments are supposed to help create strong economies. Strong economies mean jobs and income, and that is what people want. Our goal, Mr. Speaker, is a territorial government that will be in a much better financial position to respond to the needs of our developing economy once Canada achieves a more progressive economic growth. As you know, steps have already been taken to insure that more of our capital spending directly benefits northern residents, businesses, and is distributed in a fair and equitable manner across the Northwest Territories. The steps include increased programs for training. We need to train people, and assist them in seeking out jobs, rather than paying them to stay at home. The steps also include new approaches to construction management, and improved planning for construction businesses by dealing with our capital budget in the fall session of the Legislature. All of us must continue to send a clear signal to the investment community that the Northwest Territories is open for business. We have to let people know that we are interested in joint venturing, and that we are taking every step possible to develop the kinds of transportation infrastructure required to access the resources that all of us know will be the key to the economic future of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, with shared vision, and cooperation, I am confident that we will be successful in reshaping the way government does business in the north. With confidence and resourcefulness, we will solve our financial difficulties, and with determination and creativity, we will find ways to get people back to work, or into the work force for the first time. Mr. Speaker, before I conclude, I would like to thank the people in the Department of Finance, in particular, Lew Voytilla, and his crew who had the job of putting this budget together. I think it would be remiss if I did not thank them. I would also like to thank all those Deputy Ministers and department heads who have contributed, spent many, many hours going back over the letters that I sent them, of rejection, and I would like to say that with that kind of cooperation, I think we can improve the finances of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you Mr. Pollard, the Minister of Finance. Item 3, Ministers' Statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 3, Ministers' Statements. Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have just returned from Inuvik, where I participated in celebrations recognizing international literacy day, September 8. That event gave us all an opportunity to think about the importance of literacy in our everyday lives, and the role it plays in drawing us together as a society. With eight official languages, the Northwest Territories is in a unique position in Canada.

Literacy plays an important part in the day-to-day life of many people, and is vital as we take our place in society. The ability to read and write is essential to prepare for a job in any field and is the first step in lifelong learning and education.

Language is also one of the keys to maintaining culture. Literacy in our aboriginal languages is critical if we are going to revitalize our languages, and if they are to flourish. When we wrote our languages, we reach from the past into the present.

By recording and utilizing the voices of the elders into writing, we make sure that their wisdom, knowledge, belief and values are carried into a changing world, and passed on to a new generation. When we write in our aboriginal languages at work, we ensure that they hold a valid place in the world of business and government. When we develop literature, poems, songs, short stories, novels in our own languages, we say that they are as important in our world as any other language.

Peter Gzowski, well known author and host of C.B.C. radio's Morningside, has been a good friend of literacy in the N.W.T. Since 1990, he has held three of his invitation gold tournaments for literacy in the Northwest Territories, and raised $170,000 for the N.W.T. Literacy Council.

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While in Inuvik I was pleased to announce that the 1993 golf tournament will be held in that community next April.

Each year, the Minister Responsible for Education, Culture and Employment Programs, presents literacy recognition awards to residents whose dedication to literacy makes them role models for their communities. Sometimes those honoured are students, sometimes they are teachers. All of them are people we admire. On international literacy day, I recognized three women who have made significant contributions to literacy in the Northwest Territories.

Ms. Susie Nakoolak and Mrs. Pootoogook Adamie were nominated by the Coral Harbour Community Education Council for their work in developing and teaching an Inuktitut literacy project in the community.

The Gwich'in Tribal Council nominated Mabel English for a literacy recognition award because she is both a student and a teacher. She developed and taught Gwich'in language and literacy classes for adults in Inuvik. She also returned to learning to upgrade her own english literacy skills so that she can go to Arctic College after thirty nine years away from formal school.

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Mr. Speaker, I have with me today some very special t-shirts which promote literacy in all the languages of the N.W.T. These t-shirts are presented to students and teachers in communities across the territories. To mark international literacy day, I am pleased to present each Member of this Assembly with one. I hope you will wear them with pride, thereby promoting literacy in all our languages. Qujannamiik.

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Thank you. Item 3, Ministers' statements. Item 4, Members' Statements. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about what I see as a double standard that is being applied in the capital planning process for communities across the Northwest Territories.

The double standard applies to what I call, have and have not communities. Have not communities are smaller, remote and are usually traditional communities. People in these communities do not have the same opportunity to lobby government for community infrastructures as do the larger, more sophisticated communities.

Far too often I have heard in this House that the smaller community is getting a scaled-down version of a recreational, or health centre, or other types of infrastructure because of its population.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that this is wrong. All communities, whether they are large or small, have similar needs for the basic infrastructure services and programs. These essential services are necessary to enhance the physical, spiritual, and mental well being of all residents. I believe the residents should receive similar services, whether it is in such communities as Whale Cove, Hay River, Trout Lake or Iqaluit. This should be a priority of this government.

I was happy to hear the Minister of Finance state in his budget address today that it is necessary to maintain essential programs and services to those most in need, particularly in the smaller more vulnerable communities that we represent. I trust the government will remember this when it does its community capital planning over the next three years.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I have a statement to make and I am going to be directing my comments to the Minister of M.A.C.A. They were trying to get a recreational facility in Lake Harbour and I have just attended a B.R.C. meeting, and this was also brought up in that meeting. They

have been requesting this recreational facility since last year and they are not in the 1992-93 budget, so I have been approached by the residents of Lake Harbour to set this as a priority.

They have been telling me that they need this skating rink in Lake Harbour, so I wanted to bring this up under Members' statements so that the Ministers can think about this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 4, Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker and Members will recall that, yesterday, I raised an issue before this House that is of critical importance to the people of Fort Smith. I am referring to the need for a public inquiry under Section 2 of the Public Inquiries Act into the administration and quality of medical services provided to the residents of our community.

Mr. Speaker, I have reviewed in Hansard the comments made by our new Minister of Health and frankly, again, I am dismayed. The Minister has commented, and I am aware that this is from the unofficial transcript that I looked over, and I quote: "I do not know where anyone is getting the impression that there is something to hide. I do not know how a Board of Inquiry, under the Medical Profession Act, would give the impression of secrecy." Well, Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell him where.

The terms of reference, established for the Saskatchewan-based report he has now referred to the Board of Inquiry, states that any information to which a Member of the review committee becomes privy shall be treated as confidential, both during the review and after submission of the final report. At the very least, Mr. Speaker, I certainly think that this could be an influential argument that the doctors on the Board of Inquiry will use to their meetings in private. The Minister has stated, in response to my Honourable colleague from the Mackenzie Delta, that the Board of Inquiry will also have the ability to look at other issues raised by the Saskatchewan report about broader issues.

Let us not forget what these people from Saskatchewan felt were the broader issues. Let us remember what the issues that residents of Fort Smith think are important. We do not even know what broader issues the Saskatchewan doctors identified because, of course, the report is confidential. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I have two questions and two comments for honourable Members to think about.

The first one is, how many answers did the general public in Yellowknife...

Excuse me, Member for Thebacha, your time is up. If you want to ask for unanimous consent. Member for Thebacha.

I seek unanimous consent to continue with my Member's statement.

Thank you. The Member for Thebacha is asking for unanimous consent to continue on her statement. Are there any nays? Proceed, Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you to my honourable colleagues. Mr. Speaker, as I have stated, I have two comments that I would like to leave in mind for my honourable colleagues to think about.

How many answers did the general public in Yellowknife receive, with respect to the very legitimate questions and concerns, when allegations concerning Dr. Robert Clemmy of Stanton Hospital were dealt with by a board of inquiry? If I recall correctly, everything was kept confidential.

How many times, in all of our constituencies, have we seen the Department of Health insisting on doing things its own way, regardless of what the people who are served by the health system want?

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Mr. Speaker, my constituents have told me that, unequivocally, they want a public inquiry. Not a review, under the Medical Profession Act. If this Minister fails to listen to my constituents, I can be rest assured that he will not listen to other constituents. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) I want to say a few things today. My honourable colleague, the Minister of Education, mentioned something about literacy and I think that one of the most important things is having the ability to learn your own language, or speak in your own language.

When I was a child I only spoke in my first language and learned how to speak English only after attending school. So what he mentioned today about literacy I really understood. Another comment that was made today was about the Minister's Financial Budget Report. This Monday we are going to start addressing certain things concerning the financial budget and I wanted to say a few things that are concerning my constituency then.

A while ago, in Fort Simpson, August 17 of this year, there was a meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance. Whoever was sitting on this committee had visited me in Fort Simpson to discuss this, and we also went to the village of Nahanni Butte. It seems like the residents of that community are not hurt by the government. They never see government officials flying over to their community, so it was quite a surprise for them when we showed up in Nahanni.

However, we met with them for a while and we did home visits. This is why I think that the government officials should visit communities more often. Also, what Sam...

Excuse me, Mr. Antoine, your time is up. You must seek unanimous consent to continue. Mr. Antoine.

Yes, I seek unanimous consent to continue.

Mr. Antoine is asking for unanimous consent to continue on his statement. Are there any nays? Proceed, Mr. Antoine.

(Translation) Thank you. What I am saying is that I think that what Sam had mentioned before, the smaller communities should be on the priority list.

Thank you. Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Todd.