This House will come to order. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Ordinary Members' Caucus, I did want to advise this House that we have chosen Mr. Nerysoo for our chairman of the Ordinary Members' Caucus.

---Applause

Mr. Nerysoo has agreed to take on the responsibility for this session, and then he will assess to see how we conduct ourselves to decide whether or not he will continue as the chairman for our Ordinary Members' Caucus.

Mr. Speaker, we have full confidence that Mr. Nerysoo's experience and capabilities will represent us in this House effectively. All Members know that Mr. Nerysoo's ability to present himself and to bring forth our issues effectively. I apologize, I do not have my statement fully developed, I am just reading from my notes.

Mr. Speaker, I want to say that all Members have full confidence in Mr. Nerysoo's capability of bringing forth the issues effectively and eloquently on behalf of the caucus. We all know that he has a great deal of experience as a Member of this House, as a past leader, as a past Minister of the government, and with that I want to advise him that as the past chairman of the caucus, he has more than my full support in assisting his responsibilities that he has decided to take on.

I thank him very much, and I thank the Members for giving Mr. Nerysoo their support. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to make a brief statement. There has been a concern for quite some time that has been expressed to me. We all know that we are being assisted very much by the Ministers; although, they do not visit the communities as often as they should, and we all know in our constituencies that you have a lot of work to do in headquarters.

I feel, if it is possible, and if you have the time, that you should make an effort to visit the communities, especially the smaller communities. The people of the communities, especially the smaller communities, would like the Ministers to visit more often. We know that the constituents have always asked the Ministers to, at least briefly, visit the communities and this is a concern that I would like to express, and inform the Ministers that the communities have requested you to visit my communities. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to tell the House about a very successful venture undertaken in the Keewatin region by privately, Inuit owned, development corporations.

Recognizing that a need existed for upscale office and retail space in Rankin Inlet, the Kangiqliniq Development Corporation planned a major office and business facility in August, 1990.

Partial funding was secured under the 1987 Canada Northwest Territories Economic Development Agreement. It was with considerable pride that the people of Rankin Inlet saw the official opening of the Ikingutiqiit Business Centre on February 15, 1992.

Presently, Mr. Speaker, the almost 3,000 square feet of rental space is fully leased and houses several of the communities' most successful commercial enterprises. With the expansion and development of these business interests, I am pleased to note that 11 full time and three part time jobs have been created within the local workforce. Direct economic benefits of the centre have been estimated at about $1.5 million on an annual basis.

Building on this success, the Kangiqliniq Development Corporation is now preparing to access current E.D.A. funds to expand the centre, an initiative which promises to be just as successful as the original.

Mr. Speaker, the 11th Assembly Special Committee on the Northern Economy pointed out that developing an economy is a bit like playing a slot machine, to win you have to line up four essential elements. You need the right project, the right design, the right resources, the right people.

Mr. Speaker, initiatives like the Ikingutigiit Business Centre provide an example of how local companies, owned and managed by aboriginal people can line up these essential elements in a way that results in a big pay off for the community.

As we move towards the political evolution and the economic emergence of Nunavut, this is a model that we should all keep in mind. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. I would like to remind the Members in this House, I have been listening to the different languages through the receivers, I would like to remind the Members that when you speak, could you speak a little slower, because we have to go through at least seven different languages in this House, even Inuktitut, Dene and English. Please slow down a little bit so that we can get the messages to the other Members. Thank you.

Item 3, Members' statement. Member for Baffin Central.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, honourable Members have heard comments in this House many times about the importance of developing new commercial products within the Northwest Territories.

I rise today to emphasize that these efforts must be accompanied by an aggressive approach to building product awareness within the marketplace. The Baffin fishery has proven that it can make an excellent product available at reasonable prices, while using harvesting practices that are environmentally sound. I believe the consumers in southern Canada would find these to be very attractive qualities in making product choices.

Mr. Speaker, the problem is that little work has been done to help southern consumers realize that northern products are on the market. I am sure that effective marketing campaigns should be mounted, to encourage people to insist on northern sea products at grocery stores and in their favourite restaurants. In other jurisdictions, responsibilities for developing product awareness initiative often lies with the provincial manufacturing association or marketing boards. I am sure that honourable Members have seen their creative advertisement encouraging people to buy P.E.I potatoes, or butter made in Ontario, or Alberta, beef, and so on. In our small commercial sector, manufacturing groups lack the resources to mount such campaigns. If the Department of Economic Development is serious about helping northern businesses gain access to southern markets, the Minister will have to start finding ways to build product awareness, and encourage Canadians to insist on northern goods and services. I will be urging him to start this process immediately. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Zoe.

Excuse me, Mr. Zoe, your time has expired.

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

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Well, you have friends in this House since more time was available.

---Laughter

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as most Members in this House are parents, they will be aware that when young children miss out on something special, there is nothing more touching than the look on their face.

When confronted with the tender sight of a sad little child, most adults will try to ignore the disappointment for a while, but sooner or later, most of us break down and give in.

I myself have five children and I know that when a child really and truly longs for something, the child usually ends up getting what he or she wants.

I guess you could say that the disappointments of childhood are sometimes no different from the hurt feelings we experience as politicians.

As a Member of this House since 1983, I must admit, Mr. Speaker, that I have sat here with a glum look on my face for more than my share of the time.

I always thought, however, that these feelings of disappointment were only experienced by ordinary Members.

I feel compelled to make this Member's statement today, Mr. Speaker, because it appears that one of the Ministers has joined the ordinary Members' world of trampled dreams.

I am referring to the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe. Look at him, Mr. Speaker. Is he not charming?

---Laughter

I know that the honourable Member has watched silently and hopefully on occasions when, during their visits to Deh Cho, his Cabinet colleagues have been welcomed with a gift of the world famous moose hair pictures produced by traditional artists in my region.

The look of longing and disappointment on his face when he has watched them hanging up their art work has been enough to break my poor heart.

---Laughter

But, seriously, Mr. Speaker, I admire and respect the Minister for the position he has gained in this House. It has been my privilege to work with him, first as an ordinary Member, and now in his capacity as a Minister.

He has always been quite receptive to my requests and problems. That is not to say that he's done more for my constituency than others. I believe he has treated my constituency ...

Excuse me, Mr. Gargan. Your time is up. Mr. Gargan, will you ask for unanimous consent to continue?

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I would like to request consent to continue my statement.

The Member is asking for permission to continue on with his statement. Are there any nays? Proceed, then, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, honourable Members. I believe he has treated my constituency the same as all others, no better, no worse.

But, my ache-y, break-y heart just will not let me...

---Laughter

...put up with that sorrowful look he has whenever he walks by Mr. Whitford's moose hair picture!

So, for this reason, I would like to present the Minister for Tu Nedhe with a beautiful set of moose hair pictures.

Of course, Mr. Speaker, I would have preferred to present this gift during a ministerial visit to one of my communities, but I cannot wait forever!

---Applause

Further, Mr. Speaker, I want to be clear that, in expressing my appreciation, I do not anticipate any special favours nor special consideration for my constituency.

I would hope that, during the next four years as a Member, I will eventually have an opportunity to share these famous examples of Dene art with other Ministers or Members who wish to visit the communities of Deh Cho. Also, I do not wish a sudden rush of Ministers or Members to come. With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I would like to make the presentation.

---Laughter

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I would ask the Minister, Mr. Morin, to come and accept this present. Thank you.

---Laughter

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was caught by surprise here by the honourable Member. I have learned well from Mr. Gargan, if you ask long and hard enough, you usually end up getting something. Every time that I do see Sam, after I saw Tony's pictures, I have always asked him for this. Thank you very much, Sam.

I would like to inform Mr. Morin, in this House we do not use first names. Could you please use the last names? Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.