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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about the importance of aboriginal development corporations in the Northwest Territories.

These corporations provide an important economic instrument for aboriginal people to have some degree of economic control over their future, and to provide employment and training opportunities for aboriginal people. This helps build important infrastructure in our communities, and keeps the wealth within the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I know that to some extent, this government has offered encouragement to aboriginal development corporations. However, I believe we should be providing a definite focus on these types of organizations. Consideration should be given to assisting in the development of these corporations, and providing opportunities for their future growth.

However, Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about the composition of the corporations. I am not aware, at this time, of any legislation or policy that states the specifics of what would constitute an aboriginal development corporation. Does it mean all shareholders are aboriginal people, or 51 percent aboriginal shareholders? Does the government have any requirements for an organization to call itself an aboriginal development corporation?

I will be pursuing these questions with the appropriate Minister during question period today. Mr. Speaker, as I have stated before, I believe that these organizations are important economic instruments for aboriginal people, and should be fully encouraged by this government.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Bernhardt. I would like to recognize, in the gallery today, grade six students from St. Patrick's Elementary School; their teacher, Kris Ballard; and their classroom assistant, Belinda Green.

---Applause

Also, today in the gallery, there are nine students from Rimouski, Quebec, who are in a Voyageur 1992 Exchange Program with students from St. Patrick's High School. Welcome.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today, to say that I am disappointed, and appalled, with the way that the Department of Justice has mishandled a project known as Family Law Review.

This initiative was established way back in 1988, four years ago, and was supposed to result in a major reform of the territorial legislation in the field of family law. We were promised that this would result in family law, which reflects aboriginal traditions and values. We have been repeatedly promised that it would bring seriously outdated legislation up to current standards. This promise has not been kept.

Over and over, three successive Ministers of Justice have told us that we will soon be seeing the report, but still the project is not completed. Never in the history of the government, of the Northwest Territories, has a department initiative been so badly bungled.

The contract and procedures, and overall costs of the project, have been treated secretively, ever since it began. Apparently high priced consultants have left the Northwest Territories without meeting contract conditions. The so-called working group of community representatives, seems to have changed membership every six to nine months.

In short, the official management of this critical initiative is nothing short of a major embarrassment for the territorial Department of Justice, and the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Sadly, aboriginal families have waited for years, and years, to see traditional principles surrounding custom adoption established, and legislation has been treated as a back burner priority.

Further, women and men of all cultural backgrounds have been forced to resort to costly and protracted court actions, because of the absence of the enforceable marital property laws.

Perhaps, most shameful of all is this state of current Child Welfare Act legislation, which I believe could be the most ineffective in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, the government should just forget about the failed initiative now, and find an alternative strategy for fast tracking the development of legislation, before even one more dollar is spent on the consultants, officials, and committees that have delayed the process so long.

I trust that our new Minister...

Sorry, Mr. Gargan, the allotted time has expired. Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Speaker, can I ask for consent to continue my statement?

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays, please proceed, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. I trust that our new Minister of Justice will realize the failure of the current review, and will now develop a new and effective strategy to take its place. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many people are very confused because, in our Assembly, we have a Mace, which is supposed to represent something. People are not sure exactly what it does mean.

Mr. Speaker, a long time ago, as we all know, if you had power, you had to have a way to keep that power. Usually it was by the force of arms. In other words, the strongest people with the biggest army were the people that held power. The club of the Mace was a symbol of power.

In this House, however, Mr. Speaker, we do not inflict our will on other people by force of arms. We do it in a peaceful manner. That Mace, which sits in front of us, does not represent power which is imposed on other people, it sits quietly on the table, and we settle our differences like peaceful people, through debate. Those people who worry about having this symbol, should regard it not really as a symbol of great power that people have over other people, but as the right of ordinary citizens to represent themselves, if you like, in a peaceful manner in this House. It has become not a symbol of great authority and great strength, but really as a symbol of peace. What you have, is that we have laid down our arms, we have put them on the table, and we discuss our differences in a peaceful, dignified fashion.

Mr. Speaker, when I look at that Mace, I recall that I knew all the people that made it. A small group of people in Cape Dorset in 1956, sat down and took a piece of narwhal tusk, and got copper from the Coppermine River, and got beads from the MacKenzie River area, the MacKenzie Valley, and got pieces of wood from the ships that, at one time, explored the Northwest Passage, and they created a thing of beauty. That group of people worked cooperatively, and did it in a very, very short time, on the request of the then Governor General of Canada, Vincent Massey. Since that time, we have had something which is our own, a symbol of the authority of the people, and a symbol of peace. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Members' statements, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to comment on this government's approach to correctional services, and the whole process of offender rehabilitation.

I am generally satisfied with the transfer of responsibility for corrections to the Department of Justice. We should hold no illusions that this move will automatically result in improved effectiveness, and efficiency, within our correctional system. There must be a new approach to go along with the new administrative framework. Like many northerners, I have been concerned for a long time about the number of adults incarcerated in our territorial correctional facilities, and about the way in which those same individuals find themselves returning to jail over and over again.

I am concerned about the quality of supervision provided for probationers and parolees in the smaller communities, and about the lack of preventative and post-release programming. I am particularly concerned, Mr. Speaker, about the almost total absence of counselling and therapy programs available to meet the needs of violent and troubled offenders.

Our correctional system, Mr. Speaker, simply is not working. We need to take a fresh look at the cultural relevance of many of our correctional programs, and redesign them to include a role for community resource people, and particularly the elders.

We need to develop effective, hopefully sound, treatment programs for adult offenders, and to follow-up with effective post-release programming in the communities. We need to establish well planned diversive programs in community settings, so that the offender incarceration becomes seen as a costly and unavoidable last resort. With the transfer of corrections division to the Department of Justice, now is the time for our correctional administration to consider these new and more effective options. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

(Translation) Qujannamiik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a reply to Mr. Pudlat. The question regarding Lake Harbour arena. The construction of an arena is currently scheduled in the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs capital plan for 1996-97, and 1997-98. Unfortunately, I am unable to commit to advancing the construction time frame for a specific project at this time.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs capital planning process is structured to provide for the orderly delivery of capital construction throughout the N.W.T. The capital plan is developed through a process which sets in priority the needs of all communities across the N.W.T. This priority listing is developed based on established standards, and criteria, which assess, among other things, community population, access to existing facilities, and community capability of carrying the increased financial burden associated with operating a new facility. However, as is our current practise, my department and I will monitor changes in community needs and conditions through the capital process, and consult with the hamlet. Thank you.

Returns to oral questions, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question asked by Ms. Mike on September 14, 1992, with regards to clean up of abandoned D.E.W. Line sights.

In 1990, the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs conducted a preliminary assessment of all 21 abandoned D.E.W. Line sights located across the Arctic. In 1992, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs started a comprehensive assessment of five sights located in the western Arctic. They were Atkinson Point, Horton Point, Pearce Point, Bernard Harbour, and Matheson Point. My department was advised that the western sites were chosen because the contractor was already undertaking work in the western Arctic. This scheduling allowed for maximum use of the short summer field season. Detailed assessment of the remaining abandoned D.E.W. Line sites, including sites in the eastern Arctic, is planned for future years.

While not directly related to abandoned D.E.W. Line sites, clean up programs at the several military sites located in the eastern Arctic, are currently being undertaken by the federal government. A clean up program is under way at Coral Harbour, while an assessment of United States Coast Guard sites located at Cape Christian and Padloping Island, began in 1992. The tenders have also been requested to clean up three military sites located near Iqaluit. They are the upper base, north 40, and west 40 sites. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Justice. The Minister of Justice should recall that on June 24, my colleague from Baffin Central pointed out that prior to the transfer of corrections, there were 254 correction positions, only 74 of these were filled by aboriginal people, and only one management position was filled by an aboriginal person. Recognizing that about 90 percent of the inmate population in the territorial correction facilities is made up of persons who are of aboriginal descent, will the Minister explain how it is possible to establish a culturally relevant correction program when aboriginal people are so under represented among the staff that works with the offenders?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Question has been taken as notice. Oral questions, Mr. Bernhardt.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. As I said in my Member's statement today, aboriginal development corporations are an important economic instrument for aboriginal people to gain some economic control over their communities. However, I am concerned about what this government considers an aboriginal development corporation, as opposed to a private corporation. My question is, could the Minister please tell me if his department has a policy in place that defines an aboriginal development corporation for the purpose of receiving business development assistance from the Government of the Northwest Territories?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I am not aware specifically, so I will take the question as notice, and get back to the Member. Thank you.

Question has been taken as notice. Oral questions, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Government Leader, since the Minister of Health does not seem to be in the House today. Mr. Speaker, on Monday September 14, this House sent a clear message to the government when it expressed its support for a public inquiry into the matters at the Fort Smith Health Centre.

Since there has been no announcement from the Minister of Health, or the government, following the directions of this House on whether the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories has been requested to establish an inquiry under the Public Inquiries Act, my question is, will the Government Leader advise this House as to what action has been taken in establishing a process for a public inquiry? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for Health has provided a document that is being prepared for Cabinet to review. We had the first general discussion this week, a couple of days ago, and we will be discussing it further, on Monday, at Cabinet. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Can the Government Leader advise this House, or make a commitment to this House, as to when the Minister, or the Government Leader, will be able to advise us whether they will be proceeding with this public inquiry? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I know that there are going to be some changes to the scheduling of when we sit, but I will try to schedule a Cabinet meeting around the new schedule that we will be facing on Monday, to try to get something back on Monday afternoon.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Grise Fiord, at this time, they have been waiting for a school for a long time, it was not approved for a long, long time, and it was delayed. It is near the completion of the school, and I would like to ask the Minister of Education if he could come for the official opening, to officially open the new school? Thank you.

Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would really like to attend the official opening, but I have not been advised when the official opening will be. When I am advised of the exact date, then I will examine my schedule to see if I will be able to attend the official opening. Once I know the date, then I will advise you. Thank you.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since you became the Minister, this is my very first question to the Minister of Education. I did not want to make it a stressful question, but especially when the communities are proud, and when it is something to do with education for our children, I am sure that you can schedule a time. If you can advise me, maybe we could arrange when it will be, when you do not give me a straight answer, then the community, itself, might get confused, because they will be very proud to have you there. Do you say yes, or no?

That was a long preamble, Mr. Pudluk. Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I agree to attend, but I would have to check my schedule. I will talk with the Member later on today, and advise him when it would be most appropriate for me to go to that community. I am sure that we can come to an agreement. I will be able to talk with him, and make an agreement later on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Justice. On March 14, 1991, the 11th Legislative Assembly passed a sound motion, which was proposed by my honourable colleague from Deh Cho.

This motion recommended establishing an aboriginal corrections authority board, to provide territorial advice to the Minister on aboriginal issues. For some reason, correctional services neglected to proceed with this initiative.

Will the Minister of Justice, make a commitment now, to give serious attention to the direction provided by the 11th Assembly, and establish this important advisory board?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

Again, during the March 1991 debate on Mr. Gargan's motion, the Minister of the day, the Honourable Jeannie Marie-Jewell, pointed out that local native advisory committees had been established, using inmate and community volunteers, at each of the three correctional centres.

Can the Minister advise the House whether these committees are still operating successfully within the territorial correctional system?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of the N.W.T. Housing Corporation. I am happy with the survey that they conducted.

Was H.A.P. housing included in this survey, that was erected in the early 1960s? Some of the residents are trying to buy these houses. As they are very expensive, would the Minister continue the survey, and would the Minister indicate if this was included in the survey?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All houses, in all the communities, were surveyed. My understanding is that all houses were surveyed. We surveyed thousands, and thousands, of houses. The next phase of the survey, is to go back into your community, and consult with your community members, on what would be best way to meet the housing need.

I think the survey has credibility, because the community members are the people that did it, and that is the most important place, it needs credibility from the community perspective.

I believe the Member was talking about the northern rental program, and the buy. There is a program where we do sell northern rentals to the people that are living in them. That will all be taken into consideration. I believe I have given the Member information on that program, I could brief him more on it later. Thank you.

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

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, the reason for asking this question, is that the north is very cold and money is becoming less and less available.

The houses that were built in the early 1960s, up to today's standards, are very expensive. Would the Minister, during the sitting of this Legislative Assembly, inform the House of the survey? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I forget exactly what day last week, I did table the housing needs survey. The first seven pages of the survey were translated, as well as the pages for those ridings, for those Members that requested translation. Translation of the whole document should be finished within ten to 15 days. The document will then be going out to all the communities for consultation. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Finance. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Finance runs a Power Subsidy Program that

subsidizes consumers who a pay a higher rate for electrical power than is charged in Yellowknife.

Under this program, Mr. Speaker, the first 700 kilowatt hours of power are subsidized to the Yellowknife rate, and I understand that this program is funded solely by dividends paid to the G.N.W.T. by the Power Corporation. I have no concern with a program such as this, Mr. Speaker, and I want to make that clear.

However, my concern is for those communities where the power is cheaper to supply than the Yellowknife rate, particularly my constituency. Since the purchase of N.C.P.C. by the Government of the Northwest Territories, these communities, and I know my constituency, in fact, has absorbed substantial increases in power rates. I believe that it is to the amount of 24.6 percent, if not greater.

It seems to me, that these communities are, in my opinion, being unfairly treated in the application of power rates. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance, has the government ever considered implementing a power rebate program, to reimburse consumers in these communities, where the base power rate is lower than the one in Yellowknife. Thank you.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, this problem goes back to the N.C.P.C. days where there did not seem to be any reason for particular rates, in particular communities, so we ended up with this very complex, and some would say unfair, rate structure across the Northwest Territories. That goes for communities who think they are paying too much, and there are other communities who think that places in the Northwest Territories are paying too little.

That concern was addressed in a rate structure review that was done some 18 months, or two years ago, and that is still under consideration, Mr. Speaker.

With regard to the subsidy to the Yellowknife rate, and the fact there are communities that receive no subsidy whatsoever, this will be factored into the rate structure review and given serious consideration. I have previously been aware of the problem, Mr. Speaker. It will be taken into consideration. Thank you.

Oral questions, supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you. To the same Minister, Mr. Speaker, since the rates structure review is still under consideration, and this will be given consideration, can I ask the Minister, when does he anticipate the rate structure review will be completed? Thank you.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I think the rate structure review is completed, and has been for some time. It is a question of implementation of that particular document, or some blend thereof of those particular suggestions that were made in the rate structure review. It is under consideration by Madam Premier's Power Corporation; it is in the hands of the Public Utilities Board, and I would say that it is one of those problems we have to solve very, very quickly. So, I would say that it should be settled in the next six months, Mr. Speaker. It is an enormous problem, and one that has to be addressed. Thank you.

Oral questions, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Justice. I am certain the Minister will recall that my honourable colleague from Deh Cho raised this issue on June 23, when he told the House about the Y.W.C.A. estimates that only 2.4 male spousal abusers have access to counselling. Can the Minister indicate whether it is a priority, within the territorial correctional system, to actually work toward the rehabilitation of offenders, or merely just to warehouse them for the duration of their incarceration?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

Thank you. Recognizing that spousal assault has now reached epidemic proportions throughout the Northwest Territories, would the Minister make a commitment, to this House, to ensure that he will provide the leadership necessary to ensure that all violent offenders have access to treatment and counselling, including anger management programs, while they are in the territorial correctional system?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

I appreciate the Minister's response, but recognizing the number of supportive organizations across the Northwest Territories, including the Native Women's Association, the Y.W.C.A., the Society Against Family Abuse, have all commented on the need, as you say, for improved culturally relevant treatment services. Can the Minister tell me, what his plans are to consult with these groups in the development of the culturally relevant programs that are necessary for our offenders? Is any discussion currently going on with these groups?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Government Leader regarding the housing needs survey. Why was it tabled in this House, without having it completely translated? It has been the practice, I think, that documents tabled, have to be translated. Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I am informed that because the housing issue was before us, and at the time the report was received, there was not time to have the document totally translated, but because the housing debate was in progress, and the housing department budget was up, rather than delay it, we would make it available. So, certainly our apologies. I believe that the case was because of the immediate discussion that was under a topic, that we would not have had time to translate it, and the document would not be available, and in our hands as a tabled document until after the debate.

I will just make a comment. There is no rule that says a document must be translated, but there has been an historic understanding that, for courtesy, most important documents have been, in the past, translated for Members. Oral questions, supplementary, Ms. Mike.

It is my understanding that each and every one of the Members has the privilege, especially if there is a unilingual person in this House, to have a tabled document that is translated. That was my understanding. I understand that it is not a rule.

That is not a point of order. There is no rule in the House that says that a tabled document must be translated. I said it has been a practice, and a courtesy, in the past. I think it is an issue that if Members have a problem with the rule, then, perhaps, this issue could be referred to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures. Oral questions. Ms. Mike, supplementary.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, it is a new question. My question is to the Minister of Culture and Communications. I stated earlier his department's budget, the interpreters have a lot of work, and if our interpreters -- I think right now, we are short of interpreters at the moment.

It is a new question to a different Minister. Mr. Allooloo. Sorry, Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Qujannamiik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we all know, particularly the interpreters, written and oral interpreters are always in a shortage, and that other staffs are in a shortage. As we know, we are in a deficit, and we have to deal with things according to the money that is available.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Qujannamiik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you said, in this House, that this is not a law that the documents be translated into Inuktitut. If I did not understand in English, and I was the M.L.A., as with Mr. Pudlat, would I be given what I cannot read? I know that interpreters are always in demand, and there are also private interpreters that can be contracted out. Why was the whole document not translated? I received a response, but I did not like it. Thank you.

A Minister can respond as they see fit, or not respond. Mrs. Cournoyea, you would like to respond to that?

Mr. Speaker, on the particular document that the honourable Member is mentioning on the housing needs study, the document is filled with graphs,

mainly, and what was done was a summary of the first seven pages, which were the guts of the written contents. That was translated, plus the appendix for Mr. Pudlat's riding, as well. I know it would be preferable if all the book was done, but sometimes it is when the report is received, and when we can go out to contract, and, perhaps, if the report was available some months before, it probably could have been done. However, from the time it was received, and it was concluded, then we did go out to contractors. The contractors did say that the earliest it could be completed was October 31. Thank you.

Oral questions, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister for Transportation. Mr. Minister, you will recall that you received a letter from the Hamlet of Gjoa Haven dated September 18, 1992, regarding the road to 25 Mile Fishing Lake, and your predecessor has received the same request a number of times. The Hamlet of Gjoa Haven has been, and still is, asking the Department of Transportation to consider, seriously, building an access road to 25 Mile Fishing Lake. The access road would facilitate hunting, fishing, recreation, and, perhaps, tourism. I wondered if the Minister, through you Mr. Speaker, would seriously consider the matter, and get back to the Hamlet of Gjoa Haven within a reasonable time. Thank you.

Mr. Whitford.

Item 5, oral questions. Item 6, written questions. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My written question is to the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. Would the Minister supply the average cost for time loss accidents in the mining sector for the following years: 1989, 1990, and 1991?

Item 6, written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Mr. Speaker, return to written question 55-12(2), asked by Ms. Mike to the Minister of Renewable Resources concerning the results of assessments.

Return to written question 56-12(2), asked by Ms. Mike to the Minister of Renewable Resources concerning the locations of assessments.

Item 7, returns to written questions. Item 8, replies to opening address. Item 9, petitions. Item 10, reports of standing and special committees. Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table the following document today, Tabled Document 98-12(2), a listing of artists whose work will be shown as part of the 1991 Pangnirtung Print Collection and the listing of dealers across North America, which are opening the collection today. Thank you. Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Mike. Item 12, tabling of documents. Item 13, notices of motion. Mr. Ningark.