Good morning. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I commented on my concerns with the directions currently being taken by the government, and its handling of the community transfer initiatives.

I do not like to sound negative all of the time, Mr. Speaker, so today I will offer a positive suggestion. Transfer the responsibility to M.A.C.A. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs should be the lead department in matters dealing with community transfer initiatives.

This department has over 20 years experience in consulting with community groups, and negotiating a wide range of agreements. It has the know-how, Mr. Speaker, it has the resources. Most important, it has a carefully established working relationship with hamlets, settlements, and regional organizations.

This was something that was recognized in the 11th Assembly, and I note, that a motion was even passed there stating that M.A.C.A. should be given the mandate to lead and coordinate devolution of responsibilities to the communities.

The current government responded by creating a Community Transfer Committee within the Department of the Executive. This, Mr. Speaker, is not where the responsibility lies. We should not be trying to re-invent the wheel.

Mr. Speaker, I said yesterday, that I realize that some communities and regions are going to want to deal with matters surrounding the inherent right to self-government, and perhaps, even models of government are alternatives to public government. I am fully supportive of their desire to do so and where the expertise of the Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, and his officials, are needed to assist, I trust that his Cabinet colleagues will involve him, and give him a free reign to take on these difficult negotiations.

The mechanics of the process, the time lines, the negotiation of how responsibility areas are to be packaged for transfer and followed up, these should all be the prime responsibility of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.

I say, transfer the initiative to M.A.C.A.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Dent.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am alarmed that the level of staffing in the Yellowknife detachment of the R.C.M.P. remains at the same level as it was in the 1970s. Yellowknife is still a very small city by Canadian standards, Mr. Speaker, but it has many big city problems, and I am sure many Members are familiar with what I am talking about.

Twenty four hour a day policing is becoming increasingly difficult. Many citizens, including many of my constituents, question whether it is possible to even do that, with current levels of staff.

I have listened carefully to Members who make similar claims for increasing police services in their own communities. I am familiar with many of these communities, Mr. Speaker, and to their credit, they do not have a big city style of crime to contend with, at least not at the moment.

By contrast, on the growth of industries in the city of Yellowknife over the past dozen years, we have security businesses, and the sale of alarm and safety devices, as well as other areas related to the security business, which I will not go into at the moment.

The concern I have is not just simply the level of staffing, but the fact that they no longer can do the specialized kind of work that they did in the 1970s. I would not want to tip my hand to the criminal element that exists in every community. It is so bad, that if they were aware of it, I am sure it would be taken advantage of.

I would like to believe that governments respond to some objective standard of need, when they allocate resources. Increasing these, Mr. Speaker, I am afraid real measurable needs take a back seat to political whim, and the arbitrary exercise of power. I do not think that the government looks at the instances of crime as the basis for allocating resources.

Thank you.

Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

I would like to give more clarification if I can. I would like the Minister to understand that I am not suggesting for one minute that we look at an alternative to the R.C.M.P. What I suggested yesterday, and I have tried to suggest again today, is where the communities do not have R.C.M.P., particularly in the small communities, will there be some consideration given to expanding the role of the by-law officers, so that they can provide some minimal policing duties? That is all that I am suggesting. I am not asking for sweeping changes in the policing aspect. This is what has been requested by me from the small communities.

Was that a question, Mr. Todd? I did not hear a question. There is really no question there. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question directed towards the Minister of Transportation. In Cape Dorset, there is a major concern regarding the airstrip. I want to ask the Minister of Transportation if, in the very near future, he would consider upgrading the Cape Dorset airstrip? I know that there is upgrading going on at this time, but I am sure that this will not improve the airstrip as a whole.

During the winter it can get very icy, and this is very dangerous to the citizens of Cape Dorset. For that reason, can the Minister responsible for Transportation, in the very near future, respond to our concerns regarding the Cape Dorset airstrip? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Whitford.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to my question. I want to ask the Minister if he could respond to us, as soon as he can, as to what kind of funding they will be allocating for the upgrading of the airstrip? We know for a fact, that funding is tight at this time, but I want a response from the Minister. Will he consider giving funding to that airstrip? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Mr. Whitford.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question to the Minister responsible for Renewable Resources. Our people are starting to utilize dog teams again, and the dogs need to be vaccinated for rabies. Will the Minister respond to this question of whether they have looked into giving vaccinations to young puppies in the north?

Mr. Allooloo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been informed, when female dogs get vaccinated, they tend to lose their milk, or when pregnant dogs are vaccinated sometimes they abort and lose the puppies. However, the department's scientists will be looking into this matter to determine the effects. I will be informing the people who own dogs regarding this matter. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker, supplementary. If that is the case, if dogs who get vaccinated when they are pregnant miscarry, or lose their milk, perhaps you could inform the communities to be more aware of this matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Allooloo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we know for a fact, that dog teams are becoming more popular in the north, especially for hunters. If we do find out that this is the fact, this vaccination can destroy puppies when they are pregnant, and we will be informing the hunters through H.T.A.s in the communities. Thank you.

Mr. Dent.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral question, supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Kakfwi.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Mr. Marvin Bourque, who is the President of the Fort Smith Metis, in the gallery.

---Applause

Oral questions, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Public Works. There has been an advertisement in the Native Press regarding the D.O.T. compound in Fort Providence. The bids were submitted, and I do not know what the dates are, but the closing date was September 2 of this month. So, it has now been over two weeks since the closing date. I have asked the officials for information with regard to this project about a week ago, since I believe something should have been done by now. Could you give me a status on that?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware of this issue. The tender has been let for that project. All the bids are in. The bids are being evaluated now. Business Incentive Policy is being applied to those bids, and my understanding is that this project does exceed the estimated cost. It will be looked at now, and I will get back to the Member as soon as I have word prior to it being awarded. Thank you.

Oral question, supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Speaker, one of the requirements with regard to the awarding of the contract is that, I believe, the building should be finished by December 2, so we do not have that much time for the contractors to meet their obligation of that date. I would like to ask the Minister when he anticipates a decision?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will review it today, and make a decision today. Thank you.

Oral questions, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance. I have had a chance to read what is going on with the money markets across this country, and I am a bit concerned about some of the information that was in the budget address, which I will reply to, Mr. Speaker. My

question has to do with the projection on investments. We know that the economy is dependent upon the development of human resources, development of infrastructure, and also your ability to attract capital. According to this document, the government projects that, although there will be a decrease of two percent in investment in the Northwest Territories in 1992, that there would be an increase of six per cent in 1993. Everything I have read since I have been back over the last week and a bit, Mr. Speaker, indicates that investment is down all over the country, and things do not look good for the future. Where does the Minister get the six percent increase in investment in the Northwest Territories in 1993?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, you can say that we are being somewhat optimistic, but the fact remains, Mr. Speaker, that there is a tremendous interest at the present time in the mining industry in the Northwest Territories, there has been an expression of interest in a gas pipe line in the Northwest Territories. There has been, to our pleasure, acceptance by aboriginal organizations, and I would stress, the Dogrib being receptive to proposals that are put before them, with regards to, as we have heard recently, the hydroelectric projects they are looking at right now. The climate is changing. People in the Northwest Territories are saying that they are open to business. We are getting a better climate for joint ventures. Consequently, we are forecasting that there will be more investment in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I should say that investment, although it may not all come from southern Canada, will be largely from the south, and it has been made clear to those companies that are anticipating benefits from the Northwest Territories, that it must be done on northerners terms. That northerners must be employed, that there must be spin offs to northern companies and that there should be some financial involvement of people in the north, in the large scale ventures.

Although we are forecasting a six percent increase, if those people who want to do business up here from the south, do not comply with our rules, we may not see that increase. Hopefully with today's climate, with everybody willing to sit around the table and discuss these things, we can go ahead, and we will get more investment in the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We know that many native organizations have been advised by our consultants that if you want to make any money, do not invest it here, invest it in Vancouver or Calgary where the rate of return is likely to be better.

My question to the Minister, since he is optimistic that we will be able to attract capital from the south, could he give me an indication of the six percent increase in investment, and what proportion of that does he estimate would be from southern Canada?

Mr. Pollard.

I am flying on this one, Mr. Speaker, but I am going to say four percent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Government Services and D.P.W. With respect to the procedures used on contracting or tenders, can the Minister confirm that it is not standard government contracting procedures to invite tenders on work for which no scope or performance specifications have been developed?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is standard to have a scope of work, and technical description of the project you want tendered. There is a tender document attached with every tender, for all interested bidders to look at, so that they know what they tendering on.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. New question. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On June 29, 1992, I had asked the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism to table, in this House, a summary outlining the reasons why it was necessary on April 19, 1992, to award additional dollars on a contract to Co-Pro Ltd. as continuation of this retainer, and the procedures used to call for proposals for services provided under SC310802 and SC310807.

Mr. Speaker, to date, although I have received the response, I have not seen the tabled reply to these requests that I made on June 29, 1992. Thank you.

There was no question there, Ms. Mike. Would you care to pose a question?

Will he table these two questions that I have asked on June 29, 1992, at this time, when we are sitting?

Mr. Minister.

Mr. Speaker, because the House was not sitting, I did write to the Member, and outline the contracts 801 and 807. I will table those documents in the House, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question would be for the Government Leader in her capacity as the Minister

responsible for the N.W.T. Power Corporation. Like other honourable Members, I was most interested in the news, which my honourable colleague from North Slave brought before this House on September 9, 1992, about start up negotiations between the N.W.T.P.C. and the Dogrib Nation.

I am sure that we all hope that this process will lead to exciting new hydroelectric development in the Dogrib region, in the sense that it reflects on forward thinking about involving local and regional government, in research and development within the power sector, and this is a commendable exercise. However, I am also interested in the way the Power Corporation will allocate resources for its participation in the negotiation process.

Can the Minister responsible for the N.W.T. Power Corporation indicate whether there are plans to hire consultants to coordinate, or participate, in the negotiation process?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, at this point in time, the answer is no, and whether that happens in the future, I can seek to find out what will happen, on how those negotiations are going to take place. The discussions are in the preliminary stages at this time, and the process, or the working relationship, has not been set up. I will keep the Member informed, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

Thank you. Can the Minister assure this House that she will make sure that any such contracts for consultants or negotiators involved in this initiative, will be advertised through the standard tendering or proposal call, procedure before a sole source contract is considered?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, if he could provide, and table in this House, the total amount of dollars expended in response to the flood damage in Fort Liard, Hay River, and the Hay River Reserve?

Mr. Allooloo.

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Transportation. Recently, I drove from here back to Fort Simpson, and I noticed that the conditions of the highway from the Fort Providence turn off to Fort Simpson has deteriorated quite a bit. In speaking with some engineers, since the application of this new oil that they put on the highway, it seems to me that the highway people do not really know how to work this stuff.

As a result, the highway has deteriorated. I was wondering if the Minister could tell me if he would have his people review the application, and the maintenance, of this highway, from the Fort Providence junction to Fort Simpson, and down to the B.C. border, as well? Thank you.

Mr. Whitford.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the Minister. The oil, the DL10, you are talking about, I understand that two Members of the engineering department went into Alberta two years ago to see how this chemical works, and my understanding is that you are supposed to work it quite a bit so that it will bind. I was wondering if the Minister could find these two engineers that he has in his department, and see if he could meet with his maintenance crew out in Hay River to see if they could do the job properly? Thank you.

Mr. Whitford.

Item 5, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Communications. Since the Minister of Government Services indicated that it is standard to have specifications prior to tenders being done, I had a concern expressed to me, Mr. Speaker, from a constituent in respect to a contracting tender which was awarded by Arctic College, Thebacha Campus. This tender was awarded back on September 18, 1991 when Thebacha Campus published an invitation to tender on a contact, to provide janitorial services "as and when" required.

Apparently, this contract was to provide periodic cleaning services primarily to accommodation units for students with dependants. Mr. Speaker, when I looked at the tender information package there were no specifications as to the type of work that would need to be performed under the terms and conditions of the contract. Can the Minister explain to the House, how his Arctic College management can expect firms to submit tenders on the cost of services, when there are no details in the tender package about what services the College wants to purchase? Thank you.

Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will get a copy of the tender document and let the Member know what is in there by giving her a copy.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister is aware of the concern that I have expressed because I have written to him, I think well over two weeks ago. I would like to ask, when will he be able to look into the tender procedure? I want to indicate to this House, that after this "as and when" contract was awarded, contracts for additional cleaning requirements at the campus were sole sourced to another firm. So, I would like to ask the Minister when will he be looking at this issue? Thank you.

Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have looked into this. Arctic College checked with Government Services and Public Works to ensure that the firms had the necessary equipment for the job. The college was advised that only one local firm in Fort Smith, Ray's Steam Cleaning, had the necessary equipment to complete the job. With the established contract regulations used by the college, a sole source contract was awarded to Ray's Steam Cleaning, for the work in the amount of $4,100. The work was completed in mid-August.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, the college did not even take into consideration consulting with the "as and when" successful bidder to see if he had the proper equipment. They outright did a sole source contract with an existing firm. I would like to ask the Minister, does the Minister recognize that the unusual and inappropriate contracting procedures used in this case, has resulted basically in confusion to the successful bidder, and the risk of preferential treatment, which I believe is not proper contracting procedures? Thank you.

Mr. Arvaluk.

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry, I did not get the last part of the question.

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, would you re-state the question?

Mr. Speaker, does the Minister recognize that the unusual and inappropriate contracting procedures used in this case, has resulted in confusion, and the risk of preferential treatment, particularly when there was a successful bidder to provide the service? Thank you.

Mr. Arvaluk.

Mr. Speaker, no I have not, but I will certainly look into that, and act upon it. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Education. Education in Inuktitut and cultural affairs, presently is becoming more enforced, and is being enjoyed by both smaller and larger communities. It is enjoyed by both students and parents. Now, I have heard that the kindergarten levels being taught in Inuktitut, are usually examined to see if they can be elevated to the next grade, and I have been told that some of the Inuktitut examination is not thoroughly up to date. Does the Minister of Education know whether there are levels used for examining higher levels for examination in Inuktitut? Thank you.

Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The curriculum there is taught in Inuktitut, in different cultural ways, in traditional languages, and that is why they do not have a standard procedure of examining levels of knowledge on how much they have learned. This is integrated individually by the school boards themselves, so it varies. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary. I have been told that the instructor, I will not say where or who, was adamant against having Inuktitut taught in schools. I suppose there is a way of advancing in the school system, but I wonder if there can be better standardized examination of Inuktitut, because they are being taught in Inuktitut. The attitude was, because I am English, and I am the principal, I do not agree with Inuktitut being taught. Can you find out if this is happening in some schools? Thank you.

Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the M.L.A. and I can speak in private as to who is concerned here, and which of the employees are related to this matter. If there is that attitude within the school system, or any other attitudes such as that, there is potential for removing that person from employment. Thank you.

Oral questions, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of M.A.C.A., and perhaps D.P.W., and it has to do with Trout Lake. There is going to be a community office constructed at Trout Lake. There were some changes to the original plans, and now we are getting a large H.A.P. house, they call it, converted into offices. The community would like to know if, since the material is going to be coming in only on the winter road, could they use these funds to use local logs to build this office building? That way, it would employ people in the community, as well as provide the type of building that they want to see in their community, rather than something that has been imposed upon them. They would like to use those funds. I was wondering, I do not know which Minister, M.A.C.A. or D.P.W., if they would consider such a change in the plans at this stage? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.