Good morning. Orders of the day. Item 2, budget address. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the capital budget is much more than the appropriation of funds to provide essential infrastructure in communities such as housing, schools, health, social services facilities, roads, airports, wharves and basic services. Equally important, Mr. Speaker, are the opportunities for training and employment and the development of northern businesses.

While it is essential to meet public infrastructure requirements in a financially responsible manner, within a reasonable time frame and in response to the priorities of communities and the Legislative Assembly, we also believe this should be done in a manner that maximizes northern business, employment and training opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, the 1994-95 capital estimates provide for an overall spending level of $180.71 million compared to $176.45 million in the last fiscal year.

Mr. Speaker, that we have not only maintained the level of capital spending, but managed to increase it slightly in this time of fiscal restraint, illustrates the priority that is placed on capital. The importance of the government's capital program to the social and economic well-being of the people of the Northwest Territories is well recognized.

In developing the capital plan there are choices and trade-offs which have to be made as funding is limited. Capital priorities must be set based on Legislative Assembly and community input.

The provision of housing remains the number one priority of the government and this must be reflected in the allocation of capital funds. However, the withdrawal of federal funding support for new social housing dramatically reduces our ability to meet housing needs, a matter which I will discuss further in a few moments.

Mr. Speaker, construction of education facilities is also a high priority. With our growing population and recent success in getting our youth back in school, there is tremendous pressure on our educational facilities. Education is a significant key to

future prosperity and we must make the investments necessary to meet our residents' education needs today.

The Honourable Richard Nerysoo has a real dilemma. The good news is that more of our young people are staying in school and the population continues to increase. Mr. Speaker, the dilemma is trying to meet the needs for more classrooms while competing with many other worthy demands on scarce resources.

Over $37 million has been allocated to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Programs for schools, community learning centres, to begin construction of the applied arts and library building in Fort Smith and to upgrade facilities of the Arctic College Aurora Campus in Inuvik.

In Municipal and Community Affairs, the Honourable Titus Allooloo is trying to respond to basic community needs, address infrastructure requirements to meet a growing population and to replace aging facilities. Over $35 million has been allocated to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs to address the most urgent project needs which have been identified through a comprehensive consultation process with local councils.

In Transportation, the Honourable John Todd is also making inroads in the continuing development of our transportation links consisting of roads, marine services and airports, all of which are essential to economic development. Over $37 million has been allocated to the Department of Transportation to continue the planned development of a comprehensive transportation network. This includes $4 million that is recoverable from the federal government under the Canada/Northwest Territories strategic transportation improvement agreement.

Mr. Speaker, we also want to maximize benefits from government spending to accrue to northerners. We are committed to providing training in construction occupations to people in the communities so they can benefit from the capital program; that they can earn while they learn and have a real stake in projects built in their communities.

This past summer, pilot training projects were initiated in six communities under the new construction worker training program developed under the direction of Mr. Morin and Mr. Nerysoo. Community working groups were established to plan, manage and evaluate training relative to the local industry demands for various skilled needs to carry out specific capital projects. The communities involved included: Fort Simpson, Fort Good Hope, Aklavik, Gjoa Haven, Pangnirtung and Rankin Inlet. In addition, Mr. Speaker, where funds were available within existing appropriations, approval was given to expand training opportunities to other communities. Over 70 people participated in training programs this summer.

The NWT Construction Association should be recognized for its major role in helping the Departments of Public Works and Services, Education, Culture and Employment Programs and the NWT Housing Corporation to develop this construction worker training program that provides introductory, on-the-job trades training for northerners.

Mr. Speaker, the level of participation achieved in the construction training pilot projects this past summer demonstrates that such training programs, on an ongoing basis, can put capital dollars to work putting northerners to work.

Later in this session, the Honourable Don Morin will be providing further information on this new approach and will be addressing where we go from here in the larger context of a building and learning strategy.

Mr. Speaker, the provision of training to develop a northern workforce can only be successful if there are job opportunities for the people who are trained. To make sure that this happens, we have to keep emphasizing that we are committed to doing business in the Northwest Territories, with northern businesses, using northern labour.

The business incentive policy is intended to allow northern businesses to compete with southern enterprises through the recognition of the higher costs of operating a business in the north. This business incentive can encourage new northern businesses and enable them to develop the necessary experience and business skills. Northern businesses provide northern employment, not only in the trades but in administration and management as well.

The business incentive policy is continuously being reviewed with the objective of making it more equitable and even more responsive to northern content.

Mr. Speaker, so far this year, there have been 263 new contract awards for a total value of over $46 million. Only ten of them were awarded to southern contracts for a total of $6 million. This means that 253 contracts amounting to some $40 million, or 87 per cent of the dollar value, have been awarded to northern contractors.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, for the whole of the 1992-93 fiscal year, there were 349 new contract awards for a total value of $45 million, of which 336 contracts amounting to $39 million were awarded to northern contractors.

To provide further opportunities for emerging northern businesses, Cabinet has approved a number of negotiated contracts. This year, to date, there have been 12 negotiated contracts valued at about $8 million. For all of last year there were a total of nine negotiated contracts valued at about $7 million.

The use of negotiated contracts provides northern organizations with the opportunity to develop experience and a reputation for performance.

Although competitive tenders are not called, the northern project contractor is still required to provide full value for money.

Mr. Speaker, this approach is not without some risks. From time to time the contractor may not quite meet expectations with respect to performance and satisfactory project completion, but this, Mr. Speaker, is a learning process.

We believe the calculated risk is worth it when the benefits accrue 100 per cent to the north in terms of contractors, labour and equipment.

Mr. Speaker, an integral part of capital planning is the extensive consultation process during which communities and MLAs have the opportunity to review a five year forecast for their communities and to provide advice on preferred priorities. Changes were made to the consultative process this year, in response to suggestions from communities and MLAs for improvement.

This year communities had more time to respond, additional information was provided and communities had the option to suggest projects which were not already in the capital forecast.

There was also greater consultation between departments and with communities to plan the most effective way to meet capital needs and respond to community priorities.

Over 20 communities responded and provided well considered advice which, in many cases, resulted in changes to the initial forecast.

As examples of the consultation process, Mr. Speaker, in Fort Providence the hamlet council expressed concern about the timing of the addition and renovations to the school and an airport perimeter fencing project. The school project is now scheduled to begin in 1995-96 instead of 1996-97 and the fencing project has been advanced to 1994-95.

In addition, there will be a roads and drainage study next year and a flooring problem that was identified in the community hall is being corrected this year.

Mr. Speaker, in Whale Cove the original plan was to build a new fire hall and renovate the existing hamlet office/fire hall building to accommodate the hamlet office needs, and to acquire some lease space in the community for government offices. This past year, the community presented an alternate plan which was adopted. This involved the renovation of the old school to serve as a hamlet office and a business service centre. The fire hall was renovated and the existing hamlet office was converted into office space which will be available for lease.

Last year in Trout Lake, the proposed community assembly building, community office and the school were combined into one facility where the assembly hall could be used as an indoor play area for the children and service areas could be shared. This facility is now close to completion. Mr. Speaker, these are just some examples to illustrate that community participation in the capital planning process does result in changes and additions where it is possible. Government departments cooperate in the examination of all suggestions and respond by making adjustments to the capital plan where feasible.

The government encourages the continuing participation of communities and MLAs in the capital planning process and is committed to making it even more open and responsive. We would like to see every community and MLA provide input into the process and would welcome suggestions for making further improvements.

Mr. Speaker, when the review of the capital budget was moved to the fall session of the Legislative Assembly, it was intended to provide communities, contractors and government departments with critical lead time to gear up and prepare for next year's construction season. It gives time to maximize local employment, training and business opportunities.

This has resulted in improvement in the timing of architectural and engineering contracts, proposal calls and the tendering of construction contracts. Contractors are now being provided with information on the capital projects scheduled for construction much earlier than before.

Mr. Speaker, this trend to earlier tenders and the availability of earlier information on capital projects has been well-received by the industry.

While the change to a fall review of the capital budget is having an effect on the timing of project starts, it will take a few times through the process to gain the maximum benefit.

Mr. Speaker, there is still room for improvement. To ensure that the government's planning processes were adjusting to the new timing for capital budget approval, a review of the capital planning process was recently conducted.

A committee of deputy ministers examined the process and an external consultant facilitated the review with the involvement of all departments and representatives of the construction association and the society of architects. This review has helped us identify changes to our processes which will further improve the speed with which we tender projects once the capital budget is approved by the Legislative Assembly. That report, which is the Harbottle report, Mr. Speaker, will be provided to the Standing Committee on Finance.

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, the provision of adequate housing is the number one priority of the government. Without adequate housing, there are inevitably health and social problems.

The recent housing survey identified the need for 3,500 housing units in the Northwest Territories. It is difficult to keep this shortfall from increasing and almost impossible to reduce it as our population continues to increase at one of the fastest rates in Canada.

In prior years, Mr. Speaker, there has been support for the provision of social housing from the federal government through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. This federal support for new social housing has effectively dried up. This leaves the Government of the Northwest Territories without the means to even maintain the current housing stock, let alone address the critical shortfall in housing units or keep pace with growth requirements.

Federal funding for new social housing has decreased from $43 million in the year 1991-92, to only $3 million this year. This means that our cost-shared program for new housing is effectively reduced from 372 housing units per year to just 14.

Mr. Speaker, this government cannot make up the funding the federal government has cut and this means the shortfall of housing will continue to get worse. In addition, reduced housing building activity will reduce the number of jobs and affect the economic activity throughout the north. Mr. Speaker, this is a real crisis for all of us.

We can only hope that the new federal government in Ottawa will be more responsive than the previous government. The federal government must recognize the gravity of the housing issue in the north and reconsider the reinstatement of some form of cost-sharing for new social housing.

Hear, hear.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, the new Prime Minister has already been briefed on this matter and the Minister of Housing, the Honourable Don Morin, will be aggressively pursuing this issue with his federal counterparts. In the meantime, the capital estimates assume only $3 million in recoveries from the federal government, compared to actual recoveries of some $35 million in 1992-93.

Mr. Speaker, the capital budget which is ready for the review of the Legislative Assembly, is the result of a comprehensive process involving a great deal of consultation. It is recognized as more than the provision of infrastructure. It provides the opportunity for northern businesses to develop and increase economic activity.

It provides the means for training and employment for northerners and for enhancing the quality of life in communities.

The capital budget forms part of the total budget for 1994-95. The operations and maintenance budget will be coming before the House during the winter session.

Mr. Speaker, before concluding my remarks, I wish to thank the Ministers and departments for the conscientious way in which the capital estimates were developed. I also wish to acknowledge those communities which provided valuable input and insight into their needs.

Finally, I would like to compliment the Standing Committee on Finance on its review of the capital budget. The review was thorough and insightful. The committee's recommendations were taken seriously and many have been implemented. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will submit the 1994-95 capital estimates to the Legislative Assembly for its consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pollard.

---Applause

Item 3, Ministers' statements. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Minister responsible for alcohol and drug services, I wish to remind the Members of this Assembly that this is National Addictions Awareness Week.

As each of us knows all too well, alcoholism is a major concern in our society. It is at the root of many of our social problems, and causes untold suffering not just to the individuals afflicted, but also their children, their spouses and their families. Throughout this week, people throughout the Northwest Territories are participating in activities that educate us about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.

Through you, Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge my colleagues in this Assembly to continue active participation in this week's events. People look to us for leadership and we have a responsibility as elected representatives to act as good role models. This week provides us with an ideal opportunity to show our support for our community alcohol and drug workers and the many others who are involved in combatting alcohol and drug abuse.

To demonstrate this support, I would like to invite my colleagues, through you, Mr. Speaker, to join me in welcoming to this Assembly later today those people who are participating in the national walk for sobriety. This walk will begin at the Dene Nation headquarters at 1:30 pm and is expected to arrive here at our new Legislative Assembly building at approximately 2:00 pm. By joining me in this event, we will be demonstrating to the people of the Northwest Territories a strong and unified commitment to resolving this devastating social and medical problem. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Mike. Item 3, Ministers' statements. Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Koe.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to speak a little in my language. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Sahtu Dene and Metis on their successful negotiation of their comprehensive land claim agreement. (Translation ends)

Mr. Speaker, they signed a comprehensive land claim agreement with the federal government. It is expected that the Sahtu Dene and Metis Land Claim Settlement Act will be tabled in the House of Commons in the spring of 1994. This will mark the completion of the fourth comprehensive land claim in the Northwest Territories since 1984. The Sahtu, Dene and Metis join the Inuvialuit, the Gwich'in and the Tungavik Federation of Nunavut on the way of achieving their goals of self-determination.

(Translation) The land claim act will create a co-management regime for land and water, allow for negotiation of self-government framework agreements and the Sahtu Dene and Metis will receive a fair amount of land and money to give future generations the ability to shape their own future. (Translation ends)

I ask that the Government of the Northwest Territories and this Legislative Assembly give their strong support to the Dene and Metis of the Sahtu and continue to support the other claimant groups. I ask my honourable colleagues to join me in offering my congratulations to the Dene and Metis of the Sahtu on achieving this land mark agreement. It is through their courage and conviction that they created a better future for their people. The Sahtu Dene and Metis leadership have worked long and hard with determination in the face of adversity. I also wish to thank all the parties involved, especially the negotiators who, I'm sure, had the support of their respective...

Mr. Koe, your allotted time has elapsed.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi. I also wish to thank all the parties involved, especially the negotiators who, I'm sure, had the support of their respective governments to settle this claim. They deserve our congratulations for their accomplishments. Mahsi.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Mr. Gargan. Mr. Lewis is next on the list.

(Translation) Rebecca Mike made a statement about national addiction awareness week and I want to say something about this. There is a lot of work done on alcohol and drug abuse. I would like to say something about the things Hay River and Fort Providence are trying to do for national addiction awareness week. They are meeting to talk about the effects of drug and alcohol abuse. There are also meetings being held in Kakisa. They asked me to attend one of these meetings last Tuesday. They had a picnic and I helped with that.

I am having problems with my hearing. I would like to understand what Sam is saying. There is nothing coming out from my headphones.

Mr. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you please check out the system? Is anybody else having any problem? Mr. Todd.

It is very fuzzy. Thank you.

Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Speaker, due to the amount of time, I would maybe just like to do it again in English.

Let's wait for another minute and see how they do. If they don't fix it within a minute, we'll take a short break and allow them to fix it. You should be able to give your speech in your language. Okay, why don't we try it again. Mr. Gargan, you can pick up where you left off. If it doesn't work, we'll take a break and get it fixed.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to repeat what I said a while ago. In Fort Providence, it must have been about three years ago that we were working on alcohol and drug abuse. People from the reserve in Hay River travelled to Ottawa and attended workshops on drug and alcohol abuse. For those reasons there are no alcohol or drugs allowed on the reserve. I think for some people, if you look ahead I guess sometimes it's hard to leave alcohol.

When I think about the young people who are abusing alcohol and drugs, there should be something there for them. There are some people who have to drink. Maybe if they only drank once or twice a month that wouldn't be as bad. Some people who drink socially, I don't think there's any problem with that. That's all I have to say.

Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This statement, Mr. Speaker, is on behalf of all Members on this side of the House and some Members who share seats with the government.

Mr. Speaker, we continue to be concerned about the method this government uses to inform Members and the public about the plans and priorities of government. That was the basis of Members' concerns yesterday.

Mr. Pollard insisted on using the media to inform us of a major development with health billing. Mr. Allooloo completely failed to communicate with Mr. Patterson about the firing of the elected people of the town council in Iqaluit.

My statement today, Mr. Speaker, is about the Commissioner's opening address. This is the place where the government informs the Members and the public about its plans and priorities. This year all we received was a very, very brief history lesson.

The Commissioner's address was, once again, delivered by the Premier. So, the notes I made for my response to the Commissioner's address were obviously very skimpy.

Mr. Speaker, the action of the Premier, yesterday, showed disrespect for the Crown, disrespect for the office of Commissioner, disrespect for the public and disrespect for Members of this Assembly. What is the point of having a Commissioner's address? What's the point of having replies to the Commissioner's address when there's nothing to reply to? If the Premier insists on delivering her own message, we should consider changing the rules to accommodate what the Premier wants to do. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Nunavut Caucus I would like to commend the Dene and Metis people on the successful negotiation of their land claim which was signed and ratified by them earlier this year while the Legislative Assembly was not in session.

We, in Nunavut, realize how much hard work is involved in the successful negotiation of a claim, and how long and involved the negotiation process is. I congratulate those leaders and negotiators of the Sahtu Dene/Metis who have laboured so long to make a better life for their people.

This represents another significant step down the road towards concluding the settlement of outstanding land claims by the aboriginal people of the Northwest Territories and will, I am sure, enable the Sahtu Dene and Metis to realize a better future.

We, in Nunavut, wish them all the best for their future as they implement their agreement. We look forward to working with them in the future as we move together towards 1999. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Item 4, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday in Fort Smith a funeral was held for the late Phillip Mandeville who was the 12-year-old son of Arlene Mandeville and August Abraham. Phillip died last weekend after a long battle with cancer.

Mr. Speaker, Phillip was a very special boy to the residents of Fort Smith. He touched everyone's heart in our community, just as Terry Fox touched every Canadian's heart as he battled with cancer. The community rallied together, which is one thing about Fort Smith that does make me proud. When people need help, every resident is there to share and care and help them with their needs, just as the Prime Minister explained how the warmth of the north is present by the way people care for each other.

Many times students would bring loonies to school to raise money for Phillip and his family. Dances were held, donations were generously given to Phillip's family so the family's travel costs to and from the university hospital in Edmonton could be financially assisted. This fall Phillip's family was granted a trip to Disneyland by the Children's Wish Foundation, although, unfortunately, Phillip and his family were never able to take the trip.

Excuse me, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, we seem to be having...(technical difficulties)...check out Mr. Pudlat's...Can somebody help Mr. Pudlat, please? Is that okay? Okay, I'm sorry, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Would you proceed, please, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This fall Phillip's family was granted a trip to Disneyland by the Children's Wish Foundation, although, unfortunately, Phillip and his family were never able to take the trip due to Phillip's deterioration and illness.

Mr. Speaker, many times I recall seeing Phillip wheeling his little wheelchair with the spirit of strength as he went about his little business. I know the residents of Fort Smith will remember Phillip for a long time.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents I want to express my sincere condolences to Arlene and August, Phillip's sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, grandmothers and all his relatives in Fort Smith. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Whitford.

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, thank you. With respect to the situation in the town of Iqaluit, I would like to acknowledge a letter I received from the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, while I was meeting with the Standing Committee on Finance yesterday. I want to reaffirm with Mr. Allooloo that it is possible to get hold of a Member in committee. I thank you for the letter which offers to provide me with a detailed briefing of the situation which I will take up. I also note that the Minister will take my advice on the appointment of an advisory committee.

Mr. Speaker, today I wish to address another area of concern, however. I know the Government of the Northwest Territories would prefer to think that the town of Iqaluit is the main culprit in the financial problems which have arisen. However, today I wish to draw Members' attention to failings of the government to meet their legal and moral obligations to the town. These failings, in my view, have aggravated the town's financial problems flowing from the land debenture affair.

For example, it was only after I raised questions in this House earlier this year that a payment of $833,000 -- which had long been owing to the town and which had been carried by the town -- that was owed under the social services agreement, was finally paid. In talking to the town of Iqaluit prior to the dissolution of the council, I understand that by December of this year, once again, the deficit of social services program costs is expected to reach $480,000. The town does not have the funds required to pay social assistance recipients for the month of December.

MACA had agreed as well that the town of Iqaluit would not bear increased costs as a result of the shutdown this year of the high temperature hot water system. Yet, DPW and MACA have nonetheless billed the town for these costs which now amount to about $300,000. Mr. Speaker, I will be pursuing the matter of some $800,000, currently being carried by the few ratepayers of the town, through written questions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would first of all like to thank the people in the communities. I experienced something I have not experienced before and I don't think I will experience again because I'm getting too old. I went from Yellowknife, by boat, up to the Arctic waters to Resolute Bay and I thank all the communities that I stopped to talk to. There were not very many people in some communities because they were out camping for the summer. The experience I had this summer was very exciting. I saw a lot of things I hadn't seen before. Previously, I had only seen the territories from planes, but I am happy to say that I have experienced NWT communities by water.

I thank all the people in the communities that I met. I was the only one in Spence Bay going up to Resolute Bay with my children. I'm saying that people should experience what I did this summer, travelling to Resolute Bay. Sometimes, it is very dangerous and you worry about yourself. We started on July 16 and we completed our journey on August 16 in Resolute Bay. I was thinking if I was a lot younger, I would have had a lot more time and if I was much younger, I would do it again. I would like to thank all the communities I visited on my trip for their assistance.

---Applause

I think all Members join me in congratulating the honourable Member on a very impressive voyage. His courage and skill is an example to all of us.

---Applause

Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make a brief statement. First of all I would like to thank Ms. Mike for her statement about alcohol awareness. We have to be responsible when we are using alcohol and other substances. Mr. Speaker, we represent the people of the Northwest Territories and whenever we campaign we always tell our people that we will be representing them as best as we can. We should set an example. I would like to tell my constituents to be responsible for their actions and to be responsible when they are using alcohol.

I'm very happy we have an national addiction awareness week. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to say that we should help promote this awareness week as part of the people of Canada. We have to work together to promote national addiction awareness week. I would like to mention that in this House today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Pudlat. Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) This is a very important issue we are talking about today. The communities should know about the hardships of drugs and alcohol. We have been talking about it for the past week. I feel that we should not just have to think about this for a week. We should always be thinking about issues like this. When they made me a chief of Fort Simpson about 20 years ago, the elders told me that alcohol creates great hardship.

My understanding is there are many people who understand alcohol problems. There are many people who have gotten away from using alcohol. These are things that people should be helping each other with. I feel many people know about a lot about this issue. We talked about it for a week. In my community they are doing something about this alcohol awareness week. Tomorrow there will be a feast in Fort Simpson. They are creating some activities in acknowledgement of this. People can learn things from people who work in this field. Elders are in the communities to be learned from also. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 4, Members' statements. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The question I have is for the Premier. Why is it the plans and priorities of this government are announced through her Member's statement, rather than through the traditional form of the Commissioner's opening address?

Madam Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would have to look at this in detail. In my time in this House, since 1979, the role of the Commissioner and the speech from the throne has conventionally been delivered as it is. I remember an occasion when the address was made, there were a lot of statements on births and deaths. I hope that if there is another way that the ordinary Members would like us to approach that, we can have a discussion on it, if you feel certain things can be moved to the speech from the throne. I am certainly open to any kind of suggestions and direction on that. In the daily activity of government, it is the Cabinet and the Government Leader who are doing business on behalf of all Members. I presume, given that, it was just a convention of where the business was conducted. If the Member would wish us to redirect some of the broader policies in the Commissioner's address, we would be quite happy to do that. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is this. We no longer have an executive commissioner. We have someone who represents the Crown and does it from the Speaker's chair in the opening address. Because we find the traditional Commissioner's opening address is delivered through the Premier, does this mean that she sees a different role for the Commissioner to the one we have had previously? Is this a reflection of a new way of thinking?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, if you want to hear about how I feel about it, there was no intention of putting a different role on the Commissioner. It is just where the business was done and was reflected from that. As I said before, if ordinary Members feel it should more be reflected in the throne speech, we can do that. It is a normal convention that has been carried on before on how we had done business. I know that as we become more government in terms of our duties and responsibilities...where the statement comes from was from the Ministers and Government Leader. However, if the ordinary Members feel there should be more put into the Commissioner's address, I am open to any suggestions along that line. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

The Commissioner lives on my street. As I have said before, I like to reply to him. But the thing is, there is not much to reply to. So it is the expectation that when we make our response to the Commissioner's opening address, that what we will be doing is replying to the Premier and not to the Commissioner?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, as far as the general past replies, I believe there was an indication from some Members' replies that they had taken into consideration what the Government Leader had said. If it has to be more formal, I am not particularly stuck on one way of doing business. I don't have any objections that, in these replies, the mention of priorities or statements be incorporated into that. It has been done before. I just felt that the Members took that into account. At this stage, I would think if there was a feeling that there should be more in the Commissioner's address, we can change that, if that is the wish of the House. If the replies to the Commissioner's address incorporate some of the things I have said, I have no objection to that.

Item 6, oral questions. Your final supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Many jurisdictions, Mr. Speaker, have ways of conveying to the public what their government is all about. As some jurisdictions have a state of the union message, ours has always been a combination of things. The Premier is right. You have the passage of time, the passing away of elders, important events that happen and, of course, the plans and priorities of the people's government. I would like to ask the Premier, would she consider bringing this as an issue so we can determine exactly what she has in mind when the Commissioner is asked to make a state of the union reply. Would she consider presenting something to us in a way we can respond to. Thank you very much.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I would be honoured to do that. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, in our system of parliamentary democracy, the Commissioner is the representative of the Crown and traditionally has been spokesman for the government in indicating the plans and priorities for the coming session. I would like to ask the Government Leader, the fact that the throne speech has been downgraded to, as my honourable colleague called it, a brief history lesson, does this indicate that the Government of the Northwest Territories wishes to de-emphasize and downgrade the office of the Commissioner? Is this the government's intention? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, definitely not.

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, since it is traditional that the opening day of session the government presents its plans and priorities for the Members and for the people of the Northwest Territories, I wonder why the Premier did not -- if it was her intention to make that statement herself and not through the voice of the Commissioner -- make that major address and major statement on the opening day as is the tradition...

---Applause

...in our system of democracy. Why was it delayed a day and not made on the opening day? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that all of us here in this Legislative Assembly had a very historic occasion taking place -- the opening of this Legislative Assembly -- and very important people taking the time to come to the Northwest Territories such as the Prime Minister and also

members from the general public. I believe that, beyond myself, every Member of this Legislature was concerned on how we presented ourselves during this special occasion. That was the reason why the speech was not made the first day. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since the Government Leader acknowledges that the practice of having the Commissioner make a merely symbolic throne speech now appears to be in place, and since our rules allow Members and provide Members the opportunity to reply to that throne speech, is it then the government's intention to propose, through it's representative on the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges, that the reference to the Commissioner's address in the rules be changed, and that instead the rules be changed to allow Members to reply to the Premier's opening statement. Is it the government's intention to advocate a change of the rules to reflect the new reality that we've seen in this new Legislature? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I'm not predetermining anything. The honourable Member, Mr. Lewis, brought it to our attention that perhaps this should be looked at and I appreciate that suggestion. We will do that. But, I presume, Mr. Speaker, that we'll be looking at it collectively. It may be that more is wanted in the throne speech. Maybe the way we're doing it now may be adequate. Maybe there are some things we haven't thought of. So, I don't intend to do this in absence of other Members' involvement because as we are changing and as people are becoming more involved and a lot of the other political and constitutional issues are rising, Mr. Speaker, I'm willing to entertain any ideas and suggestions on how we might proceed and where various statements can be. So I'm not predetermining a discussion. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. This is your final supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Judging from the willingness of the Premier to respond to suggestions of Members and caucus about how to handle this change, Mr. Speaker, do I take it then, Mr. Speaker, that this significant change in practice and in precedence and departure from the rules of this Assembly has not really been considered or thought through by the Premier? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the order of events was not an intentional plan. The fact was that on a day-to-day basis we conduct -- and you have entrusted myself as Premier, and the Cabinet Ministers to do an order of business. It was thought that since the business has been done at the Cabinet level, that it was appropriate we express it at that level. If it's felt that it should be done a different way I'm open to those suggestions, but there was no stated plan or idea of how specifically the order of business had to be done. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. ...technical difficulties...

...Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Is that everybody? Everybody, okay. Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to direct my question to the Minister of the Department of Health. For those people who are not Canadian citizens, who move from other countries, in my community there is an outsider who is now with an Inuk woman. He is not a Canadian citizen. He is from Greenland. He has been in the Canadian north for the past six years. He is still paying for his bills for health out of his own pocket. I'm just wondering how long he has to wait until the Government of Canada can start paying for his benefits when he has been living with a Canadian citizen for a number of years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Health, Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I'm not familiar with the situation so I'll take the question as notice and investigate and bring the answer back. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The question has been taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Social Services. Mr. Speaker, during the last session, on February 17, I posed three questions to the Minister of Social Services regarding the alcohol and drug board of management. Mr. Speaker, at the time the Minister indicated, and I want to quote, "The NWT alcohol and drug board's funding was cut due to restraint measures. Today, it stands as is and there has been no decision to dissolve the board. However, as decisions are made I will keep the Members informed."

Then I went on, Mr. Speaker, and asked the Minister if the funding had been cut so the board cannot meet. Would the Minister assure the House that she would make every attempt that the board meet to review those applications for this year's funding? She responded, "Yes, I will." She went on to make a commitment to bring the board up to its full strength before the end of the current year. Her exact words were, "I will do that." I'd like to ask the Minister if she can indicate to me when she made the appointments to bring the board up to its full strength?

Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In answer to the question from the Member from Thebacha, the board has been dissolved. I'm sorry I made a mistake in answering your question previously. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Since the Minister recognized now that she made a mistake in February when she answered my question and made no effort to correct it, I would like to ask the Minister of Social Services now why she dissolved the alcohol and drug board of management. Thank you.

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The board was dissolved by the Cabinet.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister when the board was dissolved. If she could advise this House as to the date the board was dissolved, I would appreciate it. Thank you.

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe Mr. Whitford was the Minister at the time the board was dissolved.

Your final supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I am going to be very vigilant during this session on this particular issue because I believe that board played a vital role in the development of programs to address alcohol and drug problems in the Northwest Territories. As a Member, I will not tolerate "I believe" answers any more. Mr. Speaker, I would like the Minister to inform this House when the board of management was dissolved by the Cabinet. Thank you.

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take the question as notice and get back to the Member as soon as I can.

The question has been taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Hear, hear.

---Applause

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department is doing their very best to identify extra dollars, whenever possible, as we would like to address that problem. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is ongoing.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Ms. Mike.

Mr. Speaker, the social problems are ongoing. Sometimes there is a snowball effect when problems increase in communities. We are doing our very best to address the problem. If I'm not clear to the Member, I don't know how I can be clearer than this.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for Renewable Resources. Mr. Speaker, trapping is one of the first industries that was in the Northwest Territories. Last year during session I raised the issue of trapping several times. The last two years have been bad seasons for trapping. There was a trapper's incentive program where the Department of Renewable Resources was helping trappers begin their trapping season. There were some suggestions made last year on how to deal with this issue. One of them was to take a number of years and average them out to help the trapper begin trapping this year. I would like to ask the Minister responsible if his department has developed any strategies to help the trappers this year? Mahsi.

The Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am happy to say that we were able to assist trappers this year because of the poor trapping season last year. We recognized that. I worked with the Member from Nahendeh with his communities. What we have done is rather than base our support for trappers on last year's intake, we have taken into account the last six years of trappers' income from trapping and averaged that out. We were able to give support to trappers. We recognized that last year was a very poor trapping season, based on the previous six years trapping.

On top of that, I am working on further assistance to trappers. In a very short time I hope there will be additional assistance for trappers. We are just working on details about how to disperse this money. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm happy to hear that the Minister has done some work to assist trappers for this year. I guess the next question I'd like to ask is when is this new assistance coming into effect? Is there a time line we can look at? Now is the time to start trapping and I think trappers are very anxious to get going. When is this policy coming into effect? Mahsi.

Mr. Allooloo.