Your time has expired. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Return to written question 35-12(2), asked by Mr. Nerysoo to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, concerning the provision of legal counsel to municipal councils.

Return to written question 50 asked by Mr. Lewis to the Minister of Personnel concerning the dismissal of Norman Meek.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Item 8, return to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, due to assuming new portfolios recently and the need to pay attention to them, I have not been able to spend the time I would have liked to have spent in my riding this summer. However, I was able to visit Iqaluit for about a week in each of the last two months, and I would like to take this opportunity to report several very positive and exciting developments.

Before I do that, I would like to acknowledge the support and cooperation of the Department of Transportation, its present and previous Minister and officials. I refer to the beach improvement project which has been under way in Iqaluit for the past several years. Mr. Speaker, compared to some others this capital project is not so large. However, it is spent in such a manner that every cent is maximized.

At a public meeting in August, members of the amAmarok H.T.A. discussed what the priorities should be for beach improvements this summer. At one point in the meeting it was decided that we should all go down to the beach to see exactly what we were talking about, and we did. Once a plan was agreed on, the Town of Iqaluit agreed to become the general contractor for the project and members of the H.T.A. were assigned responsibility for overseeing the work at each stage. This has worked very well. When I left Iqaluit earlier this week, three new small breakwaters had been constructed at key points on the beach. The material gathered for the breakwaters also helped to clean the beach to make it much easier for people to land their vessels. Before this summer's work is complete another small breakwater may be constructed.

Mr. Speaker, in a community with a population which makes extensive use of marine resources including clams, where the tide is over 40 feet at times, and south winds can easily smash unprotected small vessels on to the rocks, especially this time of year, this project will save equipment and peace of mind for the many active hunters and boaters in my constituency.

I want to thank the Amarok H.T.A. and the Town of Iqaluit, which has also assisted with some of its equipment, and again the Minister and officials of the department for their ready help and consultative cooperative approach in making this project a success this summer.

The H.T.A. does have hopes to continue improving access to the beach in the coming years. There is still a great deal of work required to make approaches safer and more sheltered, including the community of Apex. However, members of the H.T.A. and the owners of longliners in Iqaluit are also becoming increasingly concerned about the deterioration of the causeway in the harbour. This structure, which was built by the American military almost 50 years ago, is the only available means to load and supply larger vessels, at least those without a flat bottom. It is the only deep water sheltered loading point for these larger vessels. The causeway is also a critical departure point for ski-doos and dog teams when the ice starts to deteriorate around the beach in spring time. The deterioration of this sizeable rock structure, which once had a paved road to the end, now makes it very difficult for people to load and unload supplies and people.

It is rather discomforting to see elderly tourists trying to scramble around huge rocks to reach tour vessels or dog teams. People who are manoeuvring fuel barrels and supplies over the rough rock surface also have a very difficult time. Therefore, I will be approaching the Department of Transportation to see whether they could advise on how at least part of the causeway, could be repaired to as to provide a much safer and easier access for passengers and cargo.

Now for the new developments. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce the establishment and incorporation of the Immarnisalirijiit Historical Society of Apex and Iqaluit with subscribers like Ben Ell, Joe and Martha Tikivik, Napatchie Noah, Akaka Sataa, Joanasie Aningmiut, Anuga Arnaquq, Shoatie Shoo, Getaloo Kakkee, Jaiko Pitseolak, Pudloo Nowdlak, Siporah Nowdlak, Jimmy and Oleepeeka Nooshoota, among others and a residency requirement of 20 years. This society is very representative of long time community leaders in Iqaluit and Apex and they are serious. The objects of this society include gathering and providing genealogical information for interested families, gathering and providing historical information about buildings and places in the communities of Apex and Iqaluit and other sites on the shores of Frobisher Bay. This promotes community awareness of people, places and traditions that have influenced the development of Apex and Iqaluit, assisting municipal and territorial councils in avoiding the inadvertent destruction of historical sites, records and traditions in the course of future development, and among other objects, to actively inject a historical perspective into public, business and government decisions affecting the ongoing development of our communities.

The society has made interesting discoveries about the history and especially the architectural history of our community. I would like to share a few of those with you today. Although Major John Crowel led an advanced scouting party, guided by an Inuk named Pauloosie, which began surveying and building the air base site in August 1942, "Crystal Two", as it was called, was only declared to be fully operational at the site of the present community of Iqaluit on December 31, 1943. This means that 1993-94 is the 50th anniversary of the founding of our community. The society proposes that events be planned to mark this important anniversary and to recognize the contributions of prominent Inuit elders, leaders and other Canadians who have made significant contributions to, or have lived in Apex and Iqaluit since its foundation, and you may be hearing more from me about these plans later in the term of this Legislature.

The society has identified several historic buildings, I expect sympathy from Mr. Gargan on this issue Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

The original two room school was one of three buildings erected in Apex during the first summer of construction in 1955. It was the first school in the region and was attended by many local residents and some prominent people, including the Honourable Titus Allooloo. The main structure has recently been assessed and found to be framed entirely of rough sized timber, extraordinarily strong and of unique construction. Though partially damaged by recent unsuccessful attempts to demolish it, the building has been recently purchased on behalf of the historical society by a local Apex residents with a view to saving it.

The nursing station is the second historic building erected in Apex during the first summer of construction. Beginning with the completion of the road from Iqaluit in 1956, the U.S. airforce ambulance ferried transient patients to the air base for medical evacuation. It was the first civilian hospital in the region and was both attended and staffed by many local residents.

The so-called D.N.A. garage was the third historic building erected in the summer of 1955. It served for many years as a recreation centre (badminton, volleyball, etc.) and as the community hall (bingo, dances and Christmas celebrations). It is also sound in structural shape and has dimensions adequate for the most popular indoor sports in our region: volleyball, basketball and indoor soccer.

Nanook School is currently the oldest operating school in the Baffin Region and, I am sure, one of the oldest in the Northwest Territories. This former federal day school was built in the late 1950's to serve children from Apex and Iqaluit. Some residents remember walking to school along the sea-ice from Iqaluit, or then Frobisher Bay, as Apex had the only schooling. There have been plans announced on several occasions to replace the school with a newer building but these have been resisted by Apex residents.

Other historic structures still remaining include some of the seven original "512" housing units built entirely by the eventual Inuit residents and one visiting master carpenter. Another building, completed that first summer, was the power generating plant, which is now Mary Peter's Tikiq store. The D.N.A. offices and staff quarters is still standing and the D.N.A. Rehabilitation Centre has been incorporated into a private residence. The rehabilitation offices are now building 3144 and the rehabilitation Carpentry and Craft Shop is now building 3141.

Mr. Speaker, the community of Apex Hill, perhaps more than almost any other institution in Canadian Arctic history was created as a bridge between the new and the old ways. The Department of Northern Affairs began constructing the community in June, 1955 with the intention of smoothing the transition between camp and settlement life, between southern T.B. sanatoriums and rapidly altering home communities and between well-intentioned officials and their increasingly wary subjects, between the young who were learning and the old who could not forget.

The Society has recently provided me with a draft copy of a proposal they have carefully developed. And this proposal sets out what I think are positive solutions to a number of long-standing G.N.W.T. and municipal concerns in Apex and Iqaluit. In addition to solving some of these issues, I believe it has the potential to be a very positive step for the communities involved. After all, there have been several development-related conflicts involving Apex over the last few years. I can remember one of these very vividly in 1975 before I was active in politics when the G.N.W.T. proposed to close down the community of Apex.

This proposal being developed represents the determination of the people of Niaqunnguut, as it is known locally, to establish some control over their own future and to retain its unique character. Among other things, the proposal calls for the preservation and renovation of the original two-room school; the transfer of the 1955 nursing station to the Immarnisalirijiit Historical Society for a nominal sum for restoration for community functions as in the old days.

Further, the Town of Iqaluit will be asked to revise the zoning by-laws for Apex to preserve and rehabilitate the original north Apex area. This would include the original two-room school, the old nursing station and the D.N.A. now a municipal garage which the Society would like designated as Apex Hill Heritage Buildings, as well as making provision for the preservation of Nanook School.

The Society has also indicated that they would welcome the siting of the new Baffin Regional Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centre in that area. Mr. Speaker, these are the basic elements of the proposal. In light of his responsibilities both for Education and Culture, I would like to take this opportunity to formally invite the Honourable James Arvaluk to meet with the residents of Niaquunguut and Iqaluit, preferably in Apex, to hear their views and receive their presentation. I understand the Honourable Minister may already have some plans to visit the Baffin region later this fall and I would hope that some time could, therefore, be made available for such a meeting.

Mr. Speaker, the other exciting development I wish to refer to is that I have learned recently, from two very well-respected constituents, that they will be preparing a proposal from an all-Inuit consortium to revive the highly successful wilderness camp for young offenders at Mingutuq outpost camp, about 85 nautical miles southeast of Iqaluit. Mr. Speaker, there is already a camp there. It is equipped with an airstrip and can be reached by boat or skidoo. The camp can comfortably house up to twelve young people and it is located at the Mingutuq outpost camp of Inookie and family and Lucassie Nowdluk and family. Kujait outpost camp as well, is only eight miles away and there are other camps in the area.

These two very well-respected elders, Inookie and Lucassie have lived and travelled in that area all of their lives. Their proposal is simply to revive this very successful wilderness camp aimed at engendering pride and self-confidence in youths experiencing difficult family and community relations which have led to minor crimes.

There is abundant wildlife in the area, Mr. Speaker, which will allow opportunities for the youths to learn winter hunting and survival techniques while supplementing store-bought provisions with arctic char, caribou, seals and small mammals. Living an outdoor lifestyle in winter conditions, the youths will be isolated from the influences and distractions of town life.

They will be given opportunities on a daily basis to learn useful skills through traditional activities in an outdoor setting under the direction of experienced Inuit who will provide very positive role models. Mr. Speaker, this camp did operate for two years in 1987 and 1988 and I believe that all concerned, including appropriate government departments, agreed it was a great success.

The young people who went there came away healthy and strong. Some of these young Inuit experienced their first hunt at the camp. They worked hard, they were always busy, they lived a healthy life and came away with a sense of pride in themselves and their culture. Their parents were very happy with the results, by and large, and I believe that the records will show that most of the young offenders who went to the camp adjusted successfully to community life. Many of them, in fact, were able to get jobs after learning how to work hard at the camp.

Now, Mr. Speaker, I do know that we have some need of institutions to house young offenders in the Northwest Territories. Some of them must be in secure, closed custody facilities because otherwise they would be a danger to themselves or the public. I believe many of the young people who are in several institutions in the N.W.T., however, could be even better looked after in a much more culturally sensitive way, in a much more effective way, by their own people and on the land.

I know that there are some young offender camps currently operating in the N.W.T. and this is good news. Wilfred Jackson has a camp out of Fort Good Hope. Jimmy Maring has a camp in the Aklavik area, I believe, and David Etchinelle runs a camp in Fort Norman. There are also several homes and one of them I know of is Elijah Erkloo's in Pond Inlet which provide some on-the-land component while looking after these young offenders.

However, unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the vast majority of our young offenders are housed, and some would say warehoused, in institutions, in buildings, in towns. These are expensive places, and for example, the Isumaqsunngittukkuvik Youth Facility, in my own constituency of Iqaluit, with a capacity of twelve beds, has a staff of over twenty full time persons on twenty four hour shifts, and there is a sizeable casual staff as well. Last time I checked, there were eight people in that facility. There are two other secure facilities in the Northwest Territories which I understand are operating at much less than full capacity. Mr. Speaker, I know full well that we are operating in times of restraint, that it is difficult, that is it always difficult, to find so called new money for projects like this. However, I will be urging the Minister of Justice to examine the potential for reallocating existing financial resources, so that we can support qualified native people who are willing to help troubled young people by giving them a valuable experience on the land. I submit that it would cost less than we are paying to house young people in institutions that we are not utilizing to capacity, and I think that all Members would agree that if we have the choice to put them on the land, they will get a far better, more fulfilling, and a more rewarding experience.

I am sure all Honourable Members would welcome reallocation of existing budgets to on the land programs, especially where we are not utilizing existing twenty four hour heavily staffed institutions. The approach followed at Minqutuq has already been proven successful over two years. I am delighted that solid, self reliant, and very well respected people like Inookie, and Lucassie are willing to put together a proposal to take on this responsibility. So, I do look forward to receiving their proposal, presenting it to the Honourable Mr. Kakfwi, and perhaps having the opportunity to give him the chance to meet these very fine people, and see for himself who we are dealing with.

So, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the chance to inform the House of these two, I think, positive developments in my constituency. There are, of course, many other issues, and many other problems, but I am pleased that my constituents are looking at these problems and issues in a positive way, and have positive solutions to bring forward, which I feel is my duty to bring to the attention of this House. I will be making those two issues a priority in the coming months and years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Qujannamiik.

---Applause

Thank you, Tony.

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. I will call Item 9, replies to opening address again when we come back from our fifteen minute break.

---SHORT RECESS

Replies to opening address. Item 10, replies to budget address. Item 11, petitions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker I wish to table a petition on behalf of the residents of Baker Lake. The petition is from concerned parents of the children of Baker Lake, who are requesting that funding be made available so that the Baker Lake community education council can purchase and operate a school bus in Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, this petition contains the signatures of 274 concerned residents of Baker Lake.

The community education council of Baker Lake has sought a school bus, or a vehicle which could be used for transporting students to and from the school. As chairman of the education society in 1982, I was approached by many parents who were asking for any form of transportation for their children.

When I was reelected chairman of the education society nearly a decade later, the community still did not have any type of vehicle for transporting children to the school. When I reviewed the criteria for accessing funds for a school bus I found that Baker Lake did indeed qualify under the existing policy.

The Keewatin divisional board of education has previously given its support for a school bus by recommending that it be funded. The community of Baker Lake is situated along the northwest shore of the lake and is growing length wise to the east. This means that the distance that the children have to walk far exceeds the criteria outlined in the present policy.

Mr. Speaker, to put things in perspective, I would like to compare Baker Lake's climate with other communities which currently enjoy bussing services. In comparison to most other N.W.T. communities with school bus service, Baker Lake gets colder much sooner, stays colder longer, has lower temperatures throughout the winter months, and has higher wind speeds during the school months. In short, Mr. Speaker, Baker Lake has the highest wind chill factors throughout the winter months, this is due to the fact that Baker Lake is the only community in Canada that is without trees and is inland. There are no oceans or open water to raise the temperature a few degrees higher, as is the case with other communities which lie above the treeline.

One way of comparing the weather related difficulties experienced by students, is to look at the number of times that schools are closed due to storms or other inclement weather. The only communities in which schools are closed more often are Chesterfield Inlet, which already has student transportation, and Repulse Bay and Arviat, both of which will also require student transportation in the near future.

The petition from the community of Baker Lake, with the 274 names, is requesting a school bus for the community. With this petition I have, I will be tabling a copy of the mean daily temperatures for the school year, mean temperatures in January, and the mean wind speeds in kilometres per hour for the communities of Baker Lake, Iqaluit, Hay River, Fort Smith, Inuvik and Yellowknife.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 11, petitions. Mr. Zoe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker I have a petition from the community of Rae Edzo. The petition comprises of 142 signatures, Mr. Speaker. The petition is in regards to the concerns about the possibility of awarding a contract to an outside supplier of heating oil to the Rae Edzo Housing Authority. Their concern is that the local supplier, F.C. Services, a local family business will be put out of business and that the customers not in government housing will end up paying a substantial increase in their home heating oil. They are also concerned that without a local truck available, they will paying a surcharge for emergency deliveries. They therefore urge the N.W.T. Housing Authority to reconsider their position on this tender and award the contract for supplying heating oil to F.C. Services of Rae Edzo. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table the following document: Tabled Document 76-12(2), a copy of the terms of reference established for the review undertaken by the Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons. Mr. Speaker, I have two more documents that I would like to table, Tabled Document 77-12(2), correspondence dated September 4, 1992 to the Minister of Health from me regarding his decision to establish a board of inquiry under the Medical Professions Act, and correspondence, Tabled Document 78-12(2), dated September 4, 1992 to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories from myself requesting consideration of the need to establish an inquiry under the Territorial Public Inquiries Act. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 14, tabling of documents. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table Tabled Document 79-12(2) which indicates mean daily temperatures for the school year, mean temperatures in January and the mean wind speed in kilometres per hour for the communities of Baker Lake, Iqaluit, Hay River, Fort Smith, Inuvik and Yellowknife, all of which presently enjoy a bussing service. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 14, tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion.

Item 16, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, September 14, 1992 I shall move that Bill 33, Appropriation Act No. 2, 1992-93, be read for the first time. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 16, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration of committee of the whole of bills and other matters, tabled document 9-12(2), tabled document 10-12(2), motion 6, committee report 10-12(2), tabled document 62-12(2), Minister's statement 82-12(2). Mr. Ningark is in the chair.

Mr. Chairman, I move that we report progress.

The motion is not debatable. To the motion. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I will now rise and report progress. Thank you.

Now this House will come back to order. Item 21, reports of committee of the whole. Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee reported progress and Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.

Thank you. You heard the report. Is there a seconder? Mr. Nerysoo. All those in favour. Down. Opposed. Motion is carried. Item 22, third reading of bills. Item 23, Mr. Clerk, orders of the day. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I could seek unanimous consent to return to Item 7, Written Questions, please.