Mahsi, Madam Chair. I suggest that you immediately sit down, face to face with the leadership of the Dene Nation chiefs, to begin resolving the outstanding differences that exist. I understand, from my discussion with Dene leaders, that the new Liberal Government of Canada is preparing to get into a new bilateral approach with First Nations across Canada, including the Dene. The Government of the Northwest Territories, with all the uniqueness represented in the north, can play a lead role in this relationship and take this opportunity to help secure political and financial stability in Denendeh. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 4, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, and congratulations, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, since the staff housing strategy was implemented last year, one effect has been to put pressures on employees to look for alternatives to higher rents. As I said in this House at the time, the pressure on employees with lower incomes and larger families would be especially acute. I was concerned at the time, that the ground might not have been adequately prepared to allow those employees pressured by higher rents to seek home ownership as an option.

There were only about half a dozen home ownership units available in Iqaluit from the Housing Corporation last year. That meant increasing pressure on our government to make the relatively few single detached housing units available for sale to these employees with the greatest need. The general perception in my constituency is that the process for appraisal of these units has been generous. The prices offered to those employees fortunate enough to live in them has been so reasonable as to be quite attractive. But, that is not my concern today, Madam Speaker.

I am, however, very concerned about the process for allocation of these prized detached housing units, once they are vacant or otherwise available, since it is occupation which allows an employee the opportunity to buy. There is a perception in my riding that the process of allocation of these units may be unfair and that there may be different standards in place for management, HAY plan staff or employees of certain departments than other less-privileged employees.

I have also been made to understand, in the discussions of the staff housing strategy, that the government would not undertake repair work on staff houses eligible for sale. In the spirit of the government getting out of staff housing, the idea was that employees who purchase these units would undertake the repairs at their expense and those costs would be reflected in the appraisal. My constituents are also concerned that renovations have been undertaken on detached units in Iqaluit which are prime opportunities for employee purchase, in order to benefit incumbent employees, especially employees of the Department of Public Works and Services, who might then wish to apply to purchase these units.

Madam Speaker, on both these accounts, I'll be pursuing this matter through oral and written questions. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 4, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Ms. Cournoyea.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just want to take this opportunity, on behalf of Cabinet, to congratulate you on your role as Speaker of this House. We are all confident, as Cabinet, that you will be effective, hard-working and fair. I would also like to thank you for the marvellous opportunity we had yesterday, to meet with representatives of your community, and would like to congratulate you and your community on the excellent concert that was held in the cathedral. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 4, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Ballantyne.

---Applause

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of my constituents, I would like to congratulate you on becoming Speaker. I'm sure you will be a fine and fair Speaker. I, for one, am very confident in your ability to do a great job. I thought quite a bit about what I would say in my first Member's statement for many years. Over the past couple of years, we've heard about many of the problems that are facing the people of the Northwest Territories: about the health billings problem with its ramifications of over $100 million; the housing issue with another $17 million; forest fire suppression is $9.5 million. Looking at the cost of land claims, there is a potential of many millions that will be in dispute with the federal government. We have further possible deficits of $25 million or $35 million. We have talked about possible revenue resources, the northern accord and the mining accord. On each one of these issues, the government has made valiant efforts to try to deal with each issue. I think the danger is to concentrate on one issue, at the expense of the totality. The deficit of $35 million pales, when one thinks of the $200 million or $300 million a year it may cost to divide the territories.

Formula financing issues, again, are very important but they, alone, won't solve the problem. I think it is time for the government to put together a comprehensive strategy to deal with the federal government looking for a ten year plan, which will give fiscal certainty and which will also turn over some of the levers of economic power to both territories. It is critical that the strategy is developed. The strategy is not a list of requests. It is a specific task for each Minister. It means bringing the political expertise of the Cabinet to bear on the federal government. Unless we look at all these problems in totality, we are doomed to failure. We may win a court case about health, we may win $100 million, but they will take $100 million away somewhere else. So I think it is incumbent on this Cabinet to come up with a comprehensive strategy...

(Microphone turned off)

Mr. Ballantyne, your time has expired.

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

The honourable Member for Yellowknife North is seeking unanimous consent to proceed. Are there any nays? There are no nays, go ahead.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think the timing is critical. I think the window of opportunity it short. As the terrible financial picture becomes clearer to the present federal government, their flexibility is going to whither away. So my suggestion to the government is, put a plan together and implement it immediately. I think it is an opportunity we have now in the next two or three months, that we won't have two years from now. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 4, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Aivilik, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the people of Aivilik, I also would like to congratulate you on your successful election for the seat of Speaker. I had the pleasure of serving under your chairmanship on the Ordinary Members' Caucus. You have always been very fair and patient, especially with those who do not speak English very well, like myself. I am sure you will continue to uphold that integrity and fairness as the Speaker of this House. Once again, I would like to congratulate you on behalf of Aivilik.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 4, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat.

Thank you. Item 4, Members' statements. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I gave some notice of this question to the Minister of Personnel. I would like to ask the Minister, what is the process for allocating staff housing in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you. The honourable Member for Baffin Central, Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. The territorial government staff, who are living in government staff houses, have been offered the purchase of the house they are residing in. This is the mandate of the Department of Personnel.

The honourable Member for Baffin Central, the interpreter didn't understand the last part of your response. I would ask if you would respond again, please.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Department of Personnel...First of all, ask the staff who are residing in staff houses, whether they would like to purchase the houses they are living in. Then they are turned over to the Department of Public Works. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to try to make my question as clear as possible. It is not about the sale of staff housing units. I know DPW handles the sale and I will be pursuing those questions to the Minister of Public Works. My question was about the process for allocating staff housing in the Northwest Territories before a sale takes place. I believe that the Department of Personnel decides who goes into what house. My question is -- and I will try this again because I don't think I got an answer the first time -- disregarding the sale of the units, how does the Minister's Department of Personnel decide when and where to allocate staff housing among staff in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.