Good morning. I would like to recognize, in the gallery, Mr. Gary Bohnet, President, Metis Nation.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Dent.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to thank Father Labat, Bernie Ouelette, and many other individuals in my constituency who worked hard to organize the funeral services for the late Bishop Piche.

The refreshments served were greatly appreciated and I want to thank my constituents who donated so generously. Mr. Speaker, there are so many people to thank. My colleagues, who travelled, including yourself, I also want to thank my colleagues in this House who allowed for changing of the sitting hours, so that we could partake in the services without disruption of business in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not take the time to thank, Sister Sutherland, who spoke so eloquently about the late Bishop Piche. Sister Sutherland is currently writing the memoirs of Bishop Paul Piche. He allowed Sister Sutherland to open the first shelter in the Northwest Territories for abused women.

Mr. Speaker, which reminds me, the "Take Back the Night March" is on tonight in my constituency. I would like to take a moment to encourage my constituents to participate in this march. The purpose of the march is to enhance awareness, and to work towards zero violence against women, which I know the late Bishop Piche so strongly believed in.

Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Although I did not attend the funeral services, it was in my mind. I stand today, although I am not going to name any names, as I did not attend the O.M.C., because I had phone calls. The person who called me, I cannot remember his name, told me a person was medevaced down to a southern hospital from Sanikiluaq.

I am sorry that I cannot remember the person's name, but I know that they are going through hardship right now in the Sanikiluaq area. However, they will pull through in spite of the hard time they had stated to me. I know that this always comes to our life, Mr. Speaker, and I stand for this reason to state in the House. These hardships will come our way.

I also wanted to thank the people who attended the funeral, although, I was not there personally, they were in our thoughts.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is nothing in the proposed budget, and that is what we are dealing with in this session. It encourages me that this government recognizes the

desperate state of many people in the Northwest Territories who see no economic future for themselves, other than continued dependence on government, Mr. Speaker, people need work. Work is created when there is investment. The climate for investment has to be created. The words in the budget, "that we are open for business" are hollow words, unless they are accompanied by concrete actions.

There is nothing in this budget which tells the business community in what way the Northwest Territories is really open for business.

Ever since we chose Madam Premier as our leader, Mr. Speaker, I have been more and more convinced that we are continuing to fall into the trap, the only future we have in the Northwest Territories is oil and gas, and mining.

I represent a constituency in a mining community, Mr. Speaker. I am aware of the tremendous impact that mining has had on our economy. For the Northwest Territories, mining, oil and gas may provide some revenues for governments. It may make us richer as a government, but what does it do for the dignity of people, that want to see a future. Where work will continue from generation to generation, even after the renewable resources have gone.

Mr. Speaker, our government seems to believe that oil, gas, and mining is the only real option for us to have. That simply perpetuates the view that the federal government and provincial governments have had for a very long time now, that the north is just a huge warehouse of minerals which will continue to feed the south and meet metropolitan interests.

We should be more concerned with getting a balanced economy, where everybody in the Northwest Territories can see an economic future for themselves, not simply a bit more revenue for a government to provide services, which, I agree, everybody needs to have, but really does not provide dignity for people who know that they have work and that it is going to last a long time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize in the gallery, Mr. Rocky Simpson, the Deputy Mayor of Hay River. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I stated a few days ago to the Minister of Education, and I will understand if he does not have a response today, of the concern in Cape Dorset, of the Sam Pudlat School regarding the additional five classrooms, the sixth would be the gymnasium. Would the Minister of Education have a response during this Legislative Assembly?

They are requesting the sixth room to be the gymnasium. The school is fairly new, the other school the Sam Pudlat school and want the additional classrooms to be added onto the school. Would the Minister have a response to this, concerning the school in the Cape Dorset? If he has a response during the Legislative Assembly, not necessarily today, I understand, but if he could inform the House during this sitting of the Legislative Assembly, it would be appreciated. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have responded to Mr. Pudlat's questions with a letter, it has to be translated into Inuktitut. Mr. Pudlat will receive the translated letter today. Although the letter is not addressed to Mr. Pudlat, the letter was addressed to the school board yesterday. The letter has to be translated and Mr. Pudlat will receive it today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, oral questions. Before I take your question, Mr. Koe, I would like to recognize in the gallery, Mr. Sam Inaksajak, the Chairman of the Pelly Bay Community Education Council.

---Applause

Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The question is to the Minister of Finance. Yesterday, we heard news that a bill was passed by the Parliament of Canada eliminating family allowance payments. My question is, will the Minister be re-evaluating the Northwest Territories' budgets, especially the social envelope, in lieu of this event.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, we are evaluating, right now, the impact of the federal bill on people in the Northwest Territories. I do not think that it was a surprise, they had talked about it for some time and Members will note that in our budget we do have a tax credit system that will be in place next year. That tax credit system is adjustable with enough notice, Mr. Speaker, and we do have the ability to compensate people of lower income if they are adversely effected. So, we are actively considering it, Mr. Speaker, thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is, again, for the Minister of Finance. The Minister of Finance is aware of the numerous times that I have made reference to irregularities in the tendering and contracting procedures used at the Thebacha Campus of Arctic College. I think that in the interests of fiscal responsibilities, and efficient contract management the Minister of Finance should consider taking a direct role in the control of the college's contracting procedures. So, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if he would consider requesting his deputy to bring forward a request to the government's Audit Committee for an audit in respect to the procedures used on all Thebacha College's contracting, to be completed by the territorial Audit Bureau? Thank you.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, just yesterday afternoon the Minister of Education requested the Department of Finance look into the contracting situation at Arctic College. From that investigation will flow some information. I would assure the Member that the Minister of Education and myself are fully prepared to have an audit of Arctic College, if that is necessary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister responsible for Education. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, a concern was directed to me by the staff of the Kitikmeot Education Board regarding the proposed construction of a new school for Cambridge Bay. The question, Mr. Speaker, is what is the status of this new educational facility for Cambridge Bay? Thank you.