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.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the environmental Minister. Is there any briefing at all from the Great Whale River hydroelectric project? Do you have any reports from that area? Do they get any bulletins from the Great Whale River pilot project and hydroelectric project, because we are going to have to deal properly with the environment in that area. There are a lot of opposing people on the project, because part of my constituents are so close to the community, I would like to ask the Minister of Environment, do they get all bulletins from that area? I do not know what is happening down there, but can he notify me of what is happening on that project? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Can you repeat who you are asking that question to?

(Translation) The Minister of Environment.

Mr. Allooloo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I am aware of activities to do with the Great Whale River hydroelectric project. If the Member for Baffin South wants more information, I can arrange a briefing for him at his convenience. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Health. Mr. Speaker, over the past couple of days I have asked the Minister of Health in respect to the board of inquiry process that he has set up and announced last Thursday.

Mr. Speaker, he has indicated that he has referred the report of the College of Physicians to the board of inquiry. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, whether or not this report has been transmitted to the president of the board of inquiry? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

I do not know, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary.

Mr. Speaker, it just completely amazes me that the Minister of Health can send out a press release, and I read it in the House yesterday, which states that Health Minister Dennis Patterson has referred a report by the Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons to a board of inquiry established under the Medical Profession Act. Now today, he tells me he does not know whether he did or not. Can the Minister tell me, yes or no, whether or not he has transmitted this report to the president of the board of inquiry? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I do know that the board of inquiry has not yet been fully constituted. I have named the President, Dr. Earle Covert, but there is at least one other member that has to be appointed. That is a representative of the medical profession from within the Northwest Territories, who will be nominated by the Northwest Territories Medical Association, very shortly.

Mr. Speaker, since the board has not yet been fully constituted, I am not sure whether the report has been transmitted, but it certainly will be transmitted by the time the board has been fully constituted. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Is that supplementary, Member for Thebacha, or a new question?

Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister advise this House as to whether or not he has given instructions for this report to be transmitted to the board of inquiry and to Dr. Earle Covert in Hay River? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I do not think it is necessary for me to give instructions. I signed a letter to Dr. Covert informing him that I would be referring the report in question to the board of inquiry; and my department, and the appropriate officials are aware of this letter. I have not felt it necessary to instruct anyone. It will be done though, Mr. Speaker, because I have committed to do so in writing, and I have committed in public to do so. It will be done, with or without formal instructions from me to anyone. It will be done. Thank you.

Supplementary, Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Wednesday, in this House, I asked the Minister when he feels this issue will be addressed. I quoted a section out of the act indicating that once the board of inquiry is set up, they would work promptly. I asked for a definition from the Minister. He indicated, as immediate as possible, I believe, but I do not have access to the Hansard right in front of me. However, Mr. Speaker, it astounds me that now he does not know whether they have possession of this report. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not, because of his urgency to address this issue, the president of the board of inquiry has possession of the College of Physicians report that he set up last Thursday.

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, again, I would like to explain the board has not been fully constituted because I am waiting for a nomination from the Northwest Territories Medical Profession which is meeting as soon as it can, within a matter of days, to nominate a representative of the Northwest Territories Medical Profession to serve on this board of inquiry. The board has not yet been fully constituted. As I said earlier, Mr. Speaker, I do not know whether or not a report of the Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons has been transmitted to the president, but, in any event, the board would not receive that report for a period of time because the board does not exist in its full complement at the present time. There has to be one person appointed before the board is fully constituted and fully operational. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Member for Iqaluit. Mr. Patterson.

If I may, Mr. Speaker, I have been informed that the report has been sent to Dr. Covert.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Member for Baffin Central.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. The Minister is aware of the tremendous effort and the financial resources devoted, so far, to building a viable commercial fishery in Baffin Island. Although some market outlets have been identified in southern Canada, I am sure that the Minister realizes the importance of building an awareness of the product at consumer level. Would the Minister be willing to consider an initiative which uses television and radio advertising to make southern consumers more aware of the Baffin's high quality seafood products, and the environmentally friendly harvesting practices used by the northern fishery?

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Member for Baffin Central.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. The Minister may be aware of product awareness marketing initiatives undertaken by manufacturing associations and marketing boards in other jurisdictions to promote agricultural and forestry products. Would he be willing to complete an evaluation of their effectiveness, and consider using the same techniques to publicize and promote products from the Baffin fisheries among consumers in southern Canada?

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, although I would be wanting to represent all the products in the Northwest Territories, and maybe do it on a product basis, Mr. Speaker, so we are getting a global approach, but yes, I would be willing to look at that.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Health. Could the Minister indicate to me whether or not the report of the Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons was one of the documents that was sealed by the court?

Speaker's Ruling

I have a little problem with that question, because with the court proceedings right now, and we do not know what is in there. At the moment we do not know what they are talking about regarding the Saskatchewan College. There is an action in the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories and the proceedings have been adjourned, to the best of the Chair's knowledge, the matter deals with the report of the Saskatchewan College. It is hard to get all the facts, since the files have been sealed, and the full information has not yet been made available to the House. It is the opinion of the Chair that the report is the basis of the accident, so any questions pertaining to the report would be out of order. If you, Mr. Nerysoo, could give a better indication of your question to me. Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, I am not clear on the advice you are receiving and I am not clear on the instructions you are giving me, however, I must say that the Minister has referred to the matter of the report for the last three or four days. I am not clear, and maybe you can instruct the Members here as to how we can address this particular matter. I am not the one who raised the report. What I asked the honourable Member was whether or not it was one of the documents that had been sealed. I do not know, but he has referred to the document himself. If you are ruling me out of order, I accept that, but I am not clear on the instructions that we are receiving. You are allowing the Minister to raise a report, and then telling us that we cannot question the matter on the report. Maybe you can have the Clerk and the legal advisors clarify that matter for us.

Agreed. Agreed.

I would like to advise the Member, since we have been sitting here almost three days now, to be sitting in the Chair it takes a while to try and find out the Member's concerns and try to put them together. I was trying to find out what your concern was with this issue. If you want to ask any of our advice, it is available, and my role sitting in the Chair is really not debatable. Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, I realize that it is not in the interest of the Member to challenge your ruling. In fact, I am not challenging the ruling. What I am trying to get at is my privilege as a Member to ask questions on matters that have been raised by other Members in this House, and it is not my intention to challenge your rulings. In fact, I sat in that position, and I know the responsibility, however, Mr. Speaker, if I could ask a question of the Minister of Justice to clarify for me whether or not sealed court documents are not to be publicly utilized or transmitted, until those proceedings are, in fact, addressed.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. The Minister is taking that question as notice. There was also a written question, number 053-12(2), about this same question, raised before. I do not really have the answer in my hands right now. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Constitutional Development. There was a report done by Mr. Bourque and his group in regard to the Constitutional Development Commission. The report was done, and was reported to aboriginal groups in July, and in order for them to carry on with their work, they need to have approval for the second phase of this document. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not any further developments are required to the commission itself, and the direction they are taking.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Chairman, during these last six months, there has been bilateral discussions on the Canadian constitution, in which new developments have occurred, like the inherent right to self-government. Further, there is a gratification for the referendum that is going to be happening October 25. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not, in the event that the referendum supports the constitutional package as is, will it deter from this document at all, should the commission continue, in spite of new developments that are happening with the constitutional talks.

Thank you. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have raised this question quite a few times and it is not new to the Minister. My question is regarding the utility rates. It is very different for the utility rates across the Northwest Territories. Can the Minister advise us, if they have completed the study on the utility rates, why they are so different across the Northwest Territories? Can the Minister advise us the answer today or during the session? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that the study has been completed but to restate once again, that when we took over the responsibility for the Power Corporation, each community had different rates. At this point in time, the study is still going on. It is before the Public Utilities Board, and we anticipate by late this fall, the study will be complete, and that there will be some assessment on what we can do in terms of new rate structures. It is not complete at this time. Thank you.

Thank you. I would like to recognize in the gallery, Russian experts and lecturers. The group of Russian experts have been visiting the Northwest Territories under the current program of Scientific and Technical Corporation between Russia and Canada, and the Arctic and the north. The Russian delegation will consist of the following: I have a difficult time announcing these names, the Deputy Minister for Culture and Construction; and the President of the Association for Economic Corporation; and Chief Architects, State Project Institute in Yakutsk. Please rise.

---Applause

Welcome to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, many years ago I asked whether or not there may be an opportunity to implement a new police force, and I referred on many occasions to Alaska. Alaska has public safety officers, or peace officers. They have an arrangement where there are no R.C.M.P., the local people chose people to do that.

This morning, on the radio, Mr. Speaker, the superintendent of the R.C.M.P. said that they are going to start training people as reserve or R.C.M.P. reserves. They are going to train them to handle little things, where there are no R.C.M.P. and even where there are R.C.M.P. They would train them. I would like to ask the Minister of Justice, under the aboriginal people and justice administration discussion paper done by the Minister of Justice, Kim Campbell, it does say in there that pilot projects will be made with territorial and aboriginal communities to test community based approaches of policing, reserve, crime prevention, adjudication, and dispute resolution corrections and release.

I would like to ask whether or not, that as a result of this report, or discussion paper, that the R.C.M.P. are moving in that direction.

Thank you. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Transportation. Seeing as winter is just around the corner, Mr. Speaker, having lived many winters in the past, knowing that winters are very cold, being aware that every home in Pelly Bay is heated by P50 heating fuel, I recognize the government has drastically cut some of its government services to the public. My question, Mr. Speaker, is how much heating fuel has been brought to my community of Pelly Bay by ship, which has been neglected in the past?

Thank you. Mr. Whitford.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister be sure the next delivery will have a little more than 95 gallons of fuel? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Whitford.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the reason for this tariff was that it was identified to us by the Department of Personnel that if two employees of government, one of the federal government, and one of the territorial government, lived in similar sized houses adjacent to one another in the same community, and they were both transferred on the same day, the moving company would come and pick up the federal employee at one rate, and move his or her effects to their next destination, and then come back and pick up the territorial government employee, and the rates were substantially more. Now, I believe the Department of Personnel investigated this with other jurisdictions, and suggested to the Financial Management Board that there seemed to be some difference in the rates that we were being charged, and the federal government was being charged. There was an examination. I am not able to tell the Member if there were

consultations with the moving industry prior to, but certainly the thing was examined, and the moving industry has been consulted since the report has been adopted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that they have responded, but they have not responded to me, sir, they may have responded to the Department of Personnel, so I would defer to the Department of Personnel.

Thank you. Before we go any further in Item 5, the Member for Mackenzie Delta who was asking for a legal opinion, and I would like to indicate now you can get the legal opinion, but not on the ruling. Now Legal Counsel is available. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will take your advice, and, in fact, ask for a legal opinion, but rather than do it here, I will take the opportunity to have the legal advisor provide me with a detailed, written legal summary. Thank you.

Thank you. We will go back to Item 5. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Pollard. I am sorry, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Before I recognize Mr. Dent, the Chair would like to recognize the visitors in the gallery today, members of the St. Patrick's grade 11 social studies class and their teacher, Mr. Randy Rivers.

---Applause

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister for Economic Development and Tourism, who is also the Minister of Finance. Mr. Speaker, given the business community is a fundamentally important part of our economy in the N.W.T., it is also economically an important part of the G.N.W.T., this includes economic growth and social well being. I would like to know if the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism will do everything in his power to see that, in the coming year, the small businesses across the territories that are locally owned, either in a small community or in a larger centre such as Yellowknife, Hay River,

I am sure he will not miss Hay River, Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit etc. Mr. Speaker, people of Pelly Bay, Gjoa Haven and Spence Bay feel that they have not been given a fair chance when it comes to the running of business. I would like to know if the Minister will be looking into this matter seriously. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I will look into the matter.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A number of concerns that have come out from three of my communities, one has come to dealing with the contracts that were spoken about the last few days. They do not get the consideration from the government, mainly from Economic Development within the region. A number of times they have not been successful in getting the contract, which they feel they deserve to get their fair share of, and it is still because of the lack of assistance from the regional staff. I would like to ask the Minister if he will ensure that his staff, within the Kitikmeot region, work very closely with the small businesses within the region. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will issue a directive in that regard. Thank you.