Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

This House will now come back to order. I would like to apologize to the Minister for stopping your speech. Would you continue, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Community organizations play an essential role in preserving, portraying and promoting the heritage of the Northwest Territories. To ensure that assistance is provided to community heritage groups in a consistent, fair and equitable manner, and to help maintain the cultural heritage of the Northwest Territories, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has recently developed four policies.

The heritage services policy defines the heritage programs administered by Education, Culture and Employment and the relationship between the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and community-based heritage programs.

The Northwest Territories archives policy provides direction for the administration of the NWT archives, particularly the management of non-government records.

The collections disposal policy allows for appropriate and sensitive disposal of government-owned library and heritage collections, including disposal through repatriation. The heritage grants and contributions policy establishes the criteria and standards necessary to assess applications for financial assistance, equitably.

Mr. Speaker, these four policies have recently been approved by Cabinet and I am providing Members of the Assembly with copies for their information. I believe these policies provide a clear public statement of government's commitment to heritage in the Northwest Territories.

In concluding, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Standing Committee on Finance for raising the matter of the policies. I hope the new policies will be responsive to their concerns about a lack of policy to respond to the matter of heritage in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to notify that the Honourable Don Morin will be absent from the House today and possibly tomorrow to attend meetings with the federal Minister of Housing. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I sincerely regret the events of the past few days. It is unfortunate that my explanation of the events have been interpreted to mean I intentionally misled this House. Mr. Speaker, I, at no time, had this intention, but I realize I did make some mistakes in dates in reviewing my calendar. However, since my colleagues feel that my words do convey the impression that I was not telling the truth, I must accept the consequences.

I hope that the tabling of the chronology of events will assist all Members in understanding what actually transpired. My main concern is to see that a reasonable solution is found for the problems in Iqaluit that initiated this whole discussion, and any other issues can now take a back seat. I look forward to working with the ordinary Members in addressing the concerns of our citizens and I am happy that I can now bring forward concerns on behalf of my constituents in the public forum. Today is a new challenge.

Mr. Speaker, could I ask for an extension of time?

Yes.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to say thank you to the members of my staff for the dedication and support they have shown me, especially Miss Michele Irving, my executive secretary, Miss Cathy Ayalik, my executive assistant and Anna Koonoo, my executive assistant trainee. I would also like to thank the staff in the departments of Municipal and Community Affairs and Renewable Resources who have worked so hard, not only on my behalf, but on behalf of all the people of the Northwest Territories.

In particular, I would like to thank the Deputy Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Joe Handley; and, Mr. Al Menard, Deputy Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I very much appreciate your dedication and your good counsel. I would also like to thank the many political staff who have served me so well over the past years, starting with Laurie Nowakowski, Vivian Squires, John Stephenson, Ernie Comerford and Anne Todd. Also the deputy ministers whom I had the pleasure of working in the past, Mr. Hal Gerein, Mr. Andrew Gamble, Mr. Jim Bourque, Mr. Art Sorensen, and Mr. Dave Porter. Qujannamiik.

I will carry with me the memories of many good things we have been able to accomplish by working together for the common

good of our people, the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a Member I am concerned about the policy that was developed last June and announced by the Department of Health. The policy I'm referring to, Mr. Speaker, is with regard to medical examination on user-fees for seniors. The policy institutes a user-pay system for annual medical check-ups. This policy, once again, is setting up the Department of Health to fail in considering long-term ramifications of their policies in favour of short-term gain.

My concern, Mr. Speaker, is for the long-term effects that this policy will have on the health and well-being of our elders. Our elders are one of our most valuable resources and have a substantial role to play in shaping the future of the territories.

This government is quick to assure the people of the Northwest Territories that our elders are valued, respected and their voices heard. Yet, at a life stage when accessible health care is the most important, the Department of Health is refusing to provide medical examinations free of cost unless the individual has waited at least two years since the last check-up. This is not acceptable.

Mr. Speaker, in my observation, elders in the Northwest Territories are already often reluctant to seek medical advice. Serious risks to life and health, such as lung cancer or heart disease, remain undetected because our senior citizens hesitate to report a concern and to use the resources of our health care system until the symptoms become too painful to ignore. Seniors do not want to be a burden.

Although seniors are simply not aware of potential risks, there is no doubt that seniors will much more likely hesitate when they know the department will levy a fee for a medical check-up. While I understand that this fee may be waived if the elders can present sufficient grounds, this should not be their concern. There are elders who are even reluctant to provide sufficient grounds due to their pride.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue with my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to continue. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Member for Thebacha.

Thank you. This approach by the Department of Health sends a strong message to our elders that their health care is not a priority. It is also likely to cost this government more in the long run through the treatment of illnesses that are not presented at the first opportunity.

It is also very disturbing that the Department of Health does not appear to have any appreciation for the health education benefits that elders receive through an accessible health care system. The education and interpersonal support provided to elders in my constituency has been very important to them, and both the emotional and physical health benefits are immeasurable. Many elders are worried now that this will all be lost.

I fear by charging a fee to those in the Northwest Territories whose health is most fragile, the Department of Health is truly risking the well-being of those upon whom we depend for advice and guidance, and to whom we owe a great debt. Surely our elders deserve more from us and from this government. I'm requesting that the Minister of Health reconsider this ill-conceived policy. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We've been in this Assembly now for a few days. Like anything that's new, it takes a bit of getting used to. It's like having a pair of new shoes, it takes a while for you to break them in.

My statement today, Mr. Speaker, is to recommend to the Speaker that he recommends ways in which this new building could be used during times the Assembly is not in session. Clearly, no one wishes to have us compete with the private sector in the use of space, but there are many things that could be done here in both summer and in winter. Many of us have viewed this capital site for the museum, the visitors' centre and the Assembly as a natural focal point for the capital city. But, far more important than that, Mr. Speaker, of far greater significance, is that this is a reflection of what brings Northwest Territorial residents together.

I'd like, Mr. Speaker, at the very earliest opportunity to establish a volunteer advisory committee to develop some policies and guidelines for a fuller use of the building, but in keeping with the dignity of its function as a legislature. This was done in the case of the museum many years ago, long before it was occupied. When it was completed, there were clear policies on access, donations, acquisitions, public use, exhibitions and so on. The Speaker shouldn't be required to make decisions on the use of the facility without some guidelines and policies.

There are, I believe, members of the building society and many people who routinely travel in and out of Yellowknife who would be very happy, I'm sure, so assist the Speaker on this matter. It should not be left simply to the MSB to make these decisions. Maybe this group could advise the board, but it should be people who have been here a long time, who come in and out of the city and, at no expense to the public, would be prepared to advise you on how we could make better use of this wonderful place. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.