Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, is spread through the exchange of most body fluids. Most commonly, especially in the Northwest Territories, this occurs during sexual contact.

Madam Speaker, several years after the first cases of AIDS were recognized, it became clear that HIV could be spread through blood and blood products.

In the Northwest Territories, unprotected sex is by far the most common way that HIV is transmitted. Nevertheless, persons who received blood between 1978 and November 1985, who have not already been tested, should consult their doctor or nurse regarding a test.

The Department of Health will reinforce this message through another AIDS/HIV awareness program directed at all those considered to be at risk of HIV infection. This will be done through a public education campaign using television, radio and newspapers. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am sure you are aware that 1994 has been declared international year of the family. By making this declaration, the United Nations wishes to encourage a celebration of the family. The Canadian government established the Canada Committee to make the Canadian public aware of issues regarding the family.

Madam Speaker, I have a strong concern for the well-being of families in the Northwest Territories, as do all of the Members of this Assembly. During the next year, all of us should work towards promoting and emphasizing the principle that strong, healthy families create a strong, healthy and productive society.

The Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories wrote to all Members of the Assembly on November 12, 1993, advising of their programs and plans for the next year. I would like to suggest that in February, during the Fifth Session of this Assembly, we identify one day in 1994 that will be a family day. Communities and organizations will be notified in advance so that planning for the family events such as feasts and sports events can take place.

Madam Speaker, I share what I have heard during this session from the Members and the Special Committee on Health and Social Services, the concern about the abuse of alcohol, drugs and solvents and the terrible consequences it has on our people. It is no secret that alcohol and drugs contribute to family violence and abuse and neglect of our children.

I want to recommend today that every Member here support steps in their communities to have New Year's Eve celebrated this year with family events that do not involve the use of intoxicants of any kind. Some provinces have started a program called First Night and I think it is a good time to kick off the international year of the family in the Northwest Territories by celebrating First Night in all of our communities in the company of children and our families.

Our alcohol and drug programs have worked hard for many years to come up with dry activities during the Christmas season. Staff in the Department of Social Services have notified all the alcohol and drug programs funded by the

department about the idea of First Night. Examples of First Night activities include camping and story telling, feasts, pot luck dinners and community breakfasts on New Year's Day. The Ruth Inch Pool in Yellowknife is advertising a non alcohol family swim on New Year's Eve. Your help, as leaders, is needed to promote participation in such events.

Madam Speaker, I am asking every Member, when they go home to their families and communities for this Christmas and New Year's season, to meet with your alcohol and drug program workers, your shelter workers, your band and hamlet leaders and take a leadership role in ensuring a safe, healthy Christmas season and New Year's Eve in your communities. Qujannamiik.

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I am making this statement on behalf of the Honourable Don Morin, in his capacity as the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation.

Madam Speaker, we are pleased to announce today that the NWT Housing Corporation has successfully negotiated refinancing of the $93 million in outstanding loans with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

The NWT Housing Corporation, as Members know, owes CMHC about $93 million, for public housing built across the NWT between 1974 and 1984. Madam Speaker, the Housing Corporation has been paying interest at a rate of 13.3 per cent on the outstanding balance of these loans. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to inform this House that the interest rate on these loans has been renegotiated down to 6.97 per cent, which will save the corporation and this government $2.9 million a year.

---Applause

Madam Speaker, Members will recall that Minister Morin met with the federal Minister responsible for CMHC, the Honourable David Dingwall, on November 23, of this year. At that meeting, Minister Dingwall made a commitment to consider refinancing of our outstanding loans. We appreciate the Minister making good on his commitment so promptly, and with such positive results.

Minister Morin is travelling to Ottawa today, to continue lobbying the new Liberal government to reinstate funding for housing in the Northwest Territories. The willingness of the federal government to renegotiate our outstanding loans is an encouraging first step. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, very much, Madam Speaker. The Ordinary Members' Caucus met this morning, Madam Speaker, and elected a new chairman for OMC. I would like to thank you, Madam Speaker, for your two years of service as the chairperson of the Ordinary Members' Caucus.

---Applause

I want to add also my congratulations to you for your election to Speaker. Since our consensus system depends so much on the balance between western and eastern interests, Madam Speaker, we've chosen Mr. Ningark as our new chairperson.

---Applause

The deputy chairperson will be Mr. Charles Dent.

---Applause

Madam Speaker, OMC is an important part of our system to make government accountable, and ordinary Members look forward to working with Mr. Ningark and Mr. Dent to improve our system of consensus government. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Item 3, Member's statements. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr.

Ningark.

Thank you, Madam Chair. As was indicated yesterday, the Ordinary Members' Caucus wishes to provide to this House the report of the results of the mid-term review of ministerial performance. When the review was discussed by the Members of the Ordinary Members' Caucus, there was unanimous agreement of the results of the two days of questioning.

Members looked to the Minister to have a sound understanding of their role and their departments. Members also looked for evidence that decisions and actions are thought out and have basis in overall government policy, rather than being ad hoc. Ministers were also expected to have a general understanding of the major issues that Cabinet is addressing, and have a common understanding of the goals and objectives of the government.

Four Ministers gave solid performances, resulting in an overall grade of A. Ministers Kakfwi, Todd, Pollard, and Morin displayed a good understanding of the tasks at hand, and of their role as Ministers. Members made particular note of the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi's performance, rating him the Minister who has made the most improvement in how he deals with MLAs and in demonstrating his knowledge of his department.

---Applause

Mr. Kakfwi also displayed a sound philosophical base, which is reflected in how he approaches his work as a Minister.

The Honourable Richard Nerysoo received an overall grade of C minus. Members have concern with his handling of funding for the Dene Cultural Institute in Hay River. More importantly, Members were disturbed by the cavalier manner in which the Minister made statements regarding the official languages agreement during both the review and the Fourth Session. Members wish to advise Mr. Nerysoo that he must make more of an effort to be factual in his statements, and to treat other Members with courtesy and respect.

There was unanimous agreement that the Honourable Rebecca Mike's performance, both leading up to the review and during the review, was unacceptable, resulting in a grade of F.

Sorry, Mr. Ningark, your time has elapsed.

Madam Speaker, I wish to conclude my statement.

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

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you, Madam Speaker, thank you, colleagues. There are three major areas of concern with this Minister. One, the Minister is not open when questioned by Members. The purpose of question period is to raise areas of concern with the Minister, not to personally attack her. However, the Minister takes all questions as attacks, dealing with them in a hostile and defensive manner. The Minister has also failed to take full responsibility for her department, instead, constantly referring to the problems left by previous Ministers.

Two, Members were appalled when Ms. Mike admitted she has disregarded the interim reports of the Special Committee on Health and Social Services. Those reports were issued to allow the government to begin working on this important area. It is inexcusable that the Minister has, essentially, ignored these reports. Members expected her to work more actively with the special committee in a cooperative way, rather than sitting back and waiting for the final recommendations.

Three, as the Minister responsible for Social Services, it is incumbent upon her to push social issues in Cabinet. Ms. Mike has assumed no leadership in this area and, as a result, social issues do not appear to be a Cabinet priority.

In reviewing the Government Leader -- the Premier -- the Members have higher expectations than those for Ministers. Members were looking for the Government Leader to provide broad leadership within Cabinet. They also expected the Government Leader to assist and support less-experienced Ministers. They were looking for evidence that she has created a team, which works together towards a common goal, rather than a group of mavericks pursuing their own, individual interests.

The Premier, Ms. Cournoyea, received a grading of C. Although her answers were satisfactory, they were not as convincing and as inspiring as Members had expected to hear from the Government Leader. In reviewing Ms. Cournoyea's comments, Members were concerned about the following issues with regard to what they heard from her. One, there seems to be a lack of policy-making capacity at the Cabinet level. Too many decisions seem to be reactions to specific situations, rather than part of an overall plan. As well, programs are implemented without a sound policy base, so it is difficult to ensure that programs are properly focused and moving in a consistent direction. Two, the Government Leader seems to lack a process to receive political advice on the issues from both Cabinet Ministers and MLAs. Three, the political agenda seems to be driven by the bureaucracy. Four, the Cabinet does not seem to work together as a team. There is little evidence of Cabinet unity for a clearer framework which guides the decision-making process of the Cabinet.

Strong leadership, which would inspire all Cabinet Members to work together toward a common goal, is missing. The Cabinet priorities seem to be set by whoever is the loudest and most forceful in presenting their case. Although social issues are a priority of the Assembly, they have not received priority within Cabinet. The Government Leader has not ensured a balance on the Cabinet agenda.

Madam Speaker, the Ministers Cournoyea and Nerysoo, Members will be looking for improvement in the areas of concern.

The Ordinary Members' Caucus is placing Ms. Mike on probation. The decision was made that she would be advised of Members' concerns and given an opportunity to improve her performance. Members are expecting a dramatic improvement in her performance by the time the House reconvenes for the budget session, a few months from now. If improvement is not evident, Members will consider removing Ms. Mike from the Cabinet, at that time.

It is expected that all Ministers will take heed of the concern, and work cooperatively together to achieve the team that is required for Cabinet to be successful. This includes working with each other in a supportive way.

Members would like to thank Ministers for their efforts to provide us with well-thought out answers to our questions during the review. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Item 3, Members' statements. Honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Many of us in this legislature have had the opportunity to be involved in local municipal politics, prior to our election as Members of this Assembly. This grassroots level of representation is critical in the proper delivery of programs and services to our residents. Our local councils address and identify the immediate needs which are, more often than not, passed on to us for our attention.

I, personally, have enjoyed the three terms I served as councillor and one term as mayor on the Cambridge Bay hamlet council. I know it gave me considerable experience and awareness of the issues and how to address them.

Yesterday was election day in non-tax-based municipalities in the Northwest Territories. On behalf of all my constituents, I wish to congratulate all the mayors and councillors elected or re-elected in the NWT to represent their people. In particular, I wish to congratulate the councillors-elect in Coppermine: Mr. Jimmy Ross Meyok; Mr. Frank Ipakohak; Mr. Ron Tologanak; Mr. Sam Kikpak; Mr. Alec Taptuna; and, Mr. Red Pedersen.

I also wish to congratulate the councillors-elect in Cambridge Bay: Mr. Bob Aknavigak, Ms. Leona Aglukkaq, Mr. Carson Gillis; and, Mrs. Annie Kasoni. Finally, I wish to congratulate the mayor-elect of Cambridge Bay, Mr. Larry Aknavigak, who won the closest mayoralty race in the history of Cambridge Bay, by a vote of 109 to 106.

I wish them all the success possible during their terms of office, and look forward to working with them for the remainder of my term in this Assembly.

Finally, on behalf of my constituents and I, I would like to wish a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday season to all residents of the Northwest Territories.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Amittuq, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I wish to speak about the issue that is near and dear to my heart. That is, the unity of my people, the Inuit. The Inuit have always known, Madam Speaker, that there's strength in unity. From the time families had to depend on one another to survive, today that unity is still there and that unity has demonstrated big gains for the Inuit. It has helped to us to achieve the many political gains that we are proud of, including the inevitable formation of a Nunavut government.

I want to specifically mention today, my strong support and encouragement to the grassroots movement to unify the Inuit of Yellowknife, the formation of the Yellowknife Inuit Association. It is in the works, Madam Speaker, and it is exciting to imagine what this organization will be able to offer to the Inuit, their families and their diverse origins.

In the coming weeks and months, the Inuit of Yellowknife will be canvassing to see what kind of organizations they see, what they want the Yellowknife association to be. I have thought about this need for quite a long time, and now, finally, they have time to help foster the worthwhile effort.

This new organization, in my view, can be either a social group, a political group or a combination of both. I will suggest that there is a real need for all of us Inuit to develop a network which provides moral support, a gathering place for our families to talk, to be together, share country foods and to help to preserve Inuktitut amongst ourselves. We have to ensure that the needs of Yellowknife Inuit are considered by our mother organizations, the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.

Many of us are beneficiaries of the Nunavut land claim, with the hope to return to Nunavut to help out the new territory. I encourage all Inuit, Inuvialuit and Inuinnait to respond positively in their approach. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to make a few comments about the government's financial policy and approach to deficit management.

At the appropriate time, later today, I will table a report on this topic on behalf of the Standing Committee on Finance. The Standing Committee on Finance has urged the government to take a leadership role in dealing with urgent financial management issues.

Madam Speaker, the committee is very concerned about the possibility of the Government of the Northwest Territories entering into an accumulated deficit position. As Members are well aware, it would be very difficult to recover from such a position. There is limited ability in the territories to raise substantial revenues. The government must take immediate action to ensure that all avenues for limiting spending and for maintaining a strong financial position have been explored. A comprehensive strategy and long-term financial plan are urgently required.

Madam Speaker, the Standing Committee on Finance is ready and willing to serve as a sounding board and to assist in screening and organizing the information that would be required to ensure that meaningful discussion can occur in this House. While recognizing we must all work toward solutions to the pressing financial difficulties that face us, I strongly urge the Minister of Finance and Cabinet to provide the leadership required to reach consensus on the development of appropriate strategies. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. There was an election held recently, as my colleague mentioned earlier. I would also like to mention some results. I won't be naming specific names, but there was a hamlet council election and I want to thank those people who got elected. I also thank the people who ran, even though they didn't get re-elected. To them, I extend my thanks.

Also, Madam Chair, I want to thank the people who were members of hamlet councils who weren't re-elected. I am sure they will continue to contribute. The elections of the education councils were also done at the same time. We thank them for their interest and I am sure they will take their job seriously. I want to extend a very special thank you to all those people who took the time to run, who have interest. I say thank you to all of the people who were elected. We look forward to your help in the coming year. Thank you, Madam Chair.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, it has been a little over a year since the Member for Nahendeh has updated us on the shenanigans in the fictional community of Lynx River on the television show, North of 60. Madam Speaker, I must say I certainly admire the chief of Lynx River for his accomplishments over the last year. So far, I have seen at least four new houses...

---Laughter

---Applause

...and a town recreation centre built. He even convinced a couple of crazy Italians to build a tannery to provide employment for the community. Madam Speaker, I mean no offence to Italians by calling the two of them in the show crazy. But I do think anyone who builds a factory in a town with no transportation infrastructure is crazy.

---Laughter

Madam Speaker, I again mean no offence to the Member for Nahendeh when I say Italians would be much better off building a tannery in Fort Providence. The community at least has a road in and out of it. We can offer cheap land and a trained and willing workforce. Did I leave some of my notes somewhere?

---Laughter

Madam Speaker, wouldn't it be great if we did have people from Italy and Japan coming to our doorstep and begging us to start business in our communities.

Madam Speaker, the mountie is no longer going with the nurse. And the nurse is no longer going with reality.

---Laughter

I may be pursuing a line of questioning in question period as to why the nurse was sent to Edmonton for psychiatric observation, instead of to the fine facility we have in Yellowknife.

---Laughter

---Applause

I believe this may have been a waste of taxpayers' money. Madam Speaker, is this why some of our smaller communities cannot keep a nurse? We may have to enact legislation to keep the mounties away from the nurses, so neither one of them ends up getting...(inaudible)...after their relationship falls apart.

Mr. Gargan, your time has expired.

Madam Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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

Madam Speaker, I have missed a couple of episodes, so I really don't know where TV, the young man who is always getting into trouble, is. I might venture to guess that he is in the River Ridge facility contemplating an escape.

---Laughter

---Applause

Finally, Madam Speaker, on a serious note, in the last episode there was an idea that I would like to apply to all companies doing business in the north. Companies that might be shy or hesitant about entering in a deal with native development boards. Jerry, the store owner, was kind of encouraged by the residents of Lynx River to invest in their tannery, along with the band and the Government of the Northwest Territories. He was feeling quite unsure about his investment and threatened to pull out of this scam until a bit of friendly economic blackmail on the part of the residents of Lynx River persuaded him to do otherwise. Madam Speaker, this idea came from the Dene women who work with Jerry and is the same one I would like to apply to all businesses involved with native development boards in the Northwest Territories -- stick around, who knows, you just might get rich along with the rest of us. Thank you, Madam Speaker and seasons greetings.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Kivallivik, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I was very proud and happy to hear that on December 6, a young lady by the name of Yvonne Niego accomplished a feat that no other had completed to date. She was the first Inuk to graduate from the regular RCMP basic recruit training program in Regina, as all other Inuit who join our distinguished police force become special constables.

Yvonne was born in Toronto in 1971. She was raised in Baker Lake the first 13 years of her life. She then moved to Rankin Inlet for a year when her father, who was originally from Baker Lake, was transferred there. She moved, once again, with her parents to Fort Smith, where her father completed the renewable resource officer program. Yvonne moved, yet again, to Baker Lake and undertook a year of correspondence courses to do her grade ten and 11. She graduated in 1989 from the Maani Ulujuk High School, the second year of the grade 12 program in the Keewatin Region. She then went to the University of Calgary for a year.

Her interests in the RCMP started with the aboriginal constable development program, as a summer student for two months in Baker Lake. She then went on to the regular RCMP program this past summer. Her graduation on December 6, was attended by her father Joseph Niego and her grandmother on her mother's side of the family. Yvonne will be starting her new career in the town of Iqaluit where she hopes to live for the next few years.

When I asked her if there was anything she would like to pass on to other people, she said that she hopes more people will become involved in furthering their education, exactly the same sentiment this Legislative Assembly has stated.

She came to Yellowknife on Tuesday of last week to visit with her family until Friday, when she will leave for Iqaluit. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish I had a light humorous statement to make today but I must again raise questions about the fairness of the allocation of housing units to certain DPW employees in Iqaluit. I have a little bit more information that I wish to share with the House.

I refer to houses 343 and 616. It appears, Madam Speaker, and I have not got all the facts at hand, but even though there is a present backlog of work orders in trade shops, for work on staff houses in Iqaluit -- for six months or longer -- it seems priority has been given to significant repairs, not routine maintenance, on these two units. There is a great deal of interest on the part of many employees in Iqaluit in purchasing the few single detached units available in town since the rents were substantially raised with the implementation of the new staff housing policy.

These units, every one of them, have already been inspected and assessed on an as is basis. My constituents interested in purchasing have been told that Public Works' current policy is that no work is to be done on any unit that might be sold. Yet, I'm told, Madam Speaker, that records of work orders will show quite a lot of work having been done on these two units, coinciding with their occupancy by senior DPW employees.

Madam Speaker, I am being flooded with complaints about what my constituents are calling an apparent misuse of authority and violation of current government policy by those in authority. I believe the days are over when senior government employees can manipulate the system to occupy a choice unit, get houses fixed up at public expense and then buy these units at bargain prices.

I'm not entirely sure of the extent of work undertaken on these houses. I am sure that information will be provided to me. But, many of my constituents are complaining and they are angry. I'm confident, from talking to the Minister of DPW, if there is evidence of abuse of privilege, it will be dealt with decisively. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Keewatin Central, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have two returns to oral questions. One asked by Mr. Antoine on December 13, with respect to the hunting corridor along the Ingraham Trail. The Ingraham Trail development areas firearms regulations were made under the Area Development Act, rather than the Wildlife Act because the Wildlife Act is designed to deal primarily with wildlife management, not with public safety issues. Under the Area Development Act, a development area may be designated in order to regulate the orderly development of an area. Section 6 of the Area Development Act provides authority for the Commissioner, on the recommendation of the Minister of MACA, to make regulations respecting "the regulation or the prohibition of the discharge of guns or other firearms within the development area."

Secondly, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Whitford on December 13, with respect to the control of sales of low alcohol beer to children.

The Department of Safety and Public Services has received a number of concerns from parents and educators that beer and wine products containing .5 per cent alcohol by volume are presently being sold in confectionaries, grocery stores and convenience stores across the territories. We have received a small number of reports of instances where these products have been purchased by children or teens. Although the risk that youngsters may become intoxicated after consuming these drinks is almost negligible, there is always a possibility that their ready availability will convey the incorrect message that there are no hazards associated with the use of alcohol.

Safety and Public Works is developing policy that will restrict youth access to these products. At the same time, it is recognized that, since the proliferation of these products in the Canadian marketplace, many adult consumers have begun using them as substitutes for more potent varieties of beer and wine. Since quantities of these products can be consumed without causing intoxication, they can be a factor in reducing the incidence of impaired driving and are a favoured alternative for moderate drinkers who want the taste of beer or wine but not the alcohol content or the calories of more traditional brands.

The department is looking to work together with the storekeepers across the territories to implement a series of guidelines that will prevent the sale of these products to young people, while still allowing their availability for adult consumers.

Guidelines will include requirements that stores will not sell low alcohol beverages to customers under the age of nineteen years and that they not offer sales promotions or display in-store advertising. There will also be a requirement that stores make product advisory information available. Wording and translation of the guidelines are now being finalized and will be distributed to sellers of non-alcoholic beverages before the end of January 1994.

Plans for our policy development in this area have been communicated to the parents' organization and school officials who raised these concerns in the first place and there seems to be general support for this approach. The department is now in the process of advising Chambers of Commerce of the directions we will be taking.

The effectiveness of these guidelines will be evaluated following six and 12 month intervals. If it is found that this approach has not been sufficient to stop the sale of low alcohol beer and wine to youngsters, then legislative action will be taken to fully regulate the products so they can only be sold in liquor stores and licensed premises. Unfortunately, this would mean that all adult consumers in many small communities would not be able to access them as easily, when they want an alternative to drinking full-strength beer and wine. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Aivilik, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs. Has the Minister reviewed the petition that was presented by the people of Chesterfield Inlet regarding the overcrowding of their Victor Sammurtok School?

Thank you. Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have reviewed the petition. I've got additional information with regard to that particular matter. The information that I received comes from the board. The manner in which the school is occupied, suggests that the occupancy is about 68.3 per cent. In other words, the occupancy rate for a student population there is about 132 and the present population, I believe, is about 95 students. That is the information I have received.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Then, can the Minister explain to me, or Chesterfield Inlet, why there are classes in the hallways, in the industrial arts section and in the home economics area when there is only a 68.3 per cent occupancy rate?

Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is difficult for me to explain. The petition indicated that there was not enough space. The information I have received from the board, that takes care of that particular school, suggests to me that there is space available. I would presume there needs to be a bit more planning. I am not, personally, opposed to finding additional methods of responding to the situation, if the board and community have agreed on the solution. That is the only suggestion I would make at this particular juncture. As soon as I hear that, I would be prepared to deal with that particular matter.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Has the Minister communicated that information to the people of Chesterfield Inlet?

Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you. No, I have not communicated that. That is normally the communication we offer directly to the board. In fact, that is one of the responsibilities of the board, under our directive of creating them and the authorities we transferred to them. The members of the Keewatin Divisional Board of Education all have been advised that that is part of the authority they have: planning for schools and planning for the use of the schools.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you. I believe this is my final supplementary. I'm trying to get some agreement between Chesterfield Inlet, the divisional board and the Department of Education. It is the community education council that has been communicating with the regional divisional board of education and also, through me, to the Minister regarding the overcrowding of that school.

The divisional board is saying it is only 68.3 per cent full, which the Minister must take as a fact, and the community education council -- who is actually living in Chesterfield Inlet -- is stating the school is so full we're using rooms we're not supposed to use. Can the Minister tell me what action he's planning to take so this conflicting information will come into focus?

Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think the best solution would be for me to have the assistant deputy minister dealing with schools address that particular matter, along with the director for capital planning, so there is no confusion about the information that is being brought forward to both the Member and myself, as the Minister responsible.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Madam Speaker, when I was elected the first time, we had a student that attended a university in the south. We tried to work very hard to support the student who was taking university courses. We like to encourage students to go to university. We know education is very important.

Madam Speaker, that person from Lake Harbour who went to University was having a difficult time, financially. I wonder if the Minister can do anything to support students who would like to further their education?

Thank you. Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Madam Speaker, I would first of all like to get the specific name from the honourable Member. Unless I know the circumstances and the individual, it makes it difficult to determine whether or not we can provide assistance. I just want to indicate to the honourable Member, and all Members, that approximately ten months ago, when we came forward with a budget, I made changes to the budget which improved the financial assistance we were providing to

students. We increased the amount of dollars being provided to aboriginal students, in particular.

Unless I know the circumstances and the student, and I will ask the honourable Member to provide me with the name, it makes it difficult for me to respond. But, I will respond, as soon as he provides me with a name.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.

Thank you. Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the company in question is Arctic Paging Network and there is no arrangement between the Government of the Northwest Territories and this particular company. I think what happened is this company phoned and wanted to survey government departments on the usage of pagers across the Northwest Territories. The Department of Public Services told them they shouldn't be surveying government offices, we will do that. Unfortunately, the letter that went out -- and Mr. Whitford is correct, the bottom of the page says, "buy north" -- indicated that this government is supporting an Ontario company in coming here to do business in the paging sector. Although, the letter would indicate that, Madam Speaker, that is not the case. It is unfortunate that that wording was used. DPW was merely finding out what the use of pagers is across the Northwest Territories, in which communities, to what extent and if there is a necessity for us to look at some service provided by a company in that area. We are well aware that there are three NWT companies, at least, that can provide that service to us. If it was necessary for us to obtain that service, we would go to a proposal call which obviously would go to those three companies. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Thank you. Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

The Minister of Public Works, Mr. Morin, has assured me, upon his return from Ottawa, he will deal with this matter immediately. If there is information that has already been gathered, it will be delivered to the Minister's office and he will decide what becomes of that information. So there will be no information released to an Ontario company in this regard, until Mr. Morin has reviewed the situation. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. On November 24, in a question I raised to her regarding initiatives the government was undertaking since March of 1993, she responded, "We will try, in the next week, to present a paper on mining and we will try to draw in that information." She also said later on, "Considerable work has been done on it." Yesterday, almost three weeks later, the Minister tabled, Towards an NWT Mineral Strategy. Although it is not a strategy, it outlines the items that are required in a strategy. Since I am still concerned how the government is going to ensure that northern interests are protected for jobs, business opportunities and from environmental damage as a result of mining initiatives, when will her department table an NWT mining strategy which outlines the government's position on mining?

Thank you. The Minister responsible for Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Ms. Cournoyea.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Rather than being absent and not providing anything to the

honourable Member, while the thicker document is being translated, we tabled that. As soon as the translation is finished, that will be available to all Members. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Can I ask the Minister when she will be tabling that document?

Thank you. Ms. Cournoyea.

Madam Speaker, I will be tabling it in the next session. However, as soon as it is available, I will circulate it, so we don't have wait for the next sitting of the House. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Amittuq, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I received a letter from the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs. I would like to say thank you to the Minister for responding quite quickly. The letter was dated December 8, regarding a student from my constituency who is attending school in Ottawa. I asked the Minister to see if this person could be assisted because the parents have to pay for everything, tuition fees, transportation, accommodation, although this is an aboriginal person from Pond Inlet. In his letter, he did not suggest any solution. The Minister replied that he supports the divisional board's decision not to financially support the student. I would like to know what other alternatives are out there to help these kinds of students. Thank you.

Thank you. The Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. At present, there are no other funding arrangements. If the board chose to fund the student, that would have been within their authority. What makes it difficult to me, at this juncture, is we have moved all the operational funds, with the support of Members of this House, into the hands of the directors. As such, we have left that responsibility in their hands. I am not opposed to the idea of additional funding being made available for those students. But the fact is, the policy dictates that is the way in which we administer our finances. That is, through the divisional boards.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Supplementary, Madam Speaker. Is the Minister suggesting that the money that was allocated to this student, if he were to attend school in Iqaluit, was in the hands of the divisional board?

Thank you. Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Madam Speaker, yes. The basis on which we divide the financial resources for education is based on per capita. In other words, the total number of students in a particular divisional board area. Then we reassign the appropriate dollars accordingly. That was the way in which the resources were handled previously, by other Ministers as well.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. If the board was funded, why did the Minister write to me and say the board does not receive funding for that student? I am suggesting that the money must still be within the department.

Thank you. Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

No. We would have to go back and review that, but the fact is we fund the board for the student to attend school in the Baffin region. We don't fund the board for the student to attend school in southern Canada. That is the way in which we provide the financial resources.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It seems like the education of our kids has to be a priority and the priority of this government. The parents of this student are not working any more. They cannot afford to send this kid to school in Ottawa. It sounds like the department does not have a program to help these students who are bright, who will be finishing their schooling and will be successful. Madam Speaker, it looks like they cannot even bring the student back home because they have no resources. Would the Minister do his best to help the parents and the student at this point because there is no other help available to this family. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is difficult to respond to the honourable Member's request. That is not to suggest that I won't be helpful, I will. But, the fact is, on the matter of policy, it has been the decision of this government, and this Assembly, that we will provide programming closer to home, whether it is in Pond Inlet, in Iqaluit or any other community. As a result of that, there has been no identification of financial resources to assist students of the type that the honourable Member has mentioned. That is not to suggest we're not interested, but the fact is, the basis on which the Assembly has allocated the resources does not consider that at all.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask this question to the Minister of Transportation. At the beginning of this session, I mentioned that in Cape Dorset the terminal is in bad shape. I would like to ask the Minister if there are any plans for terminal upgrading in Lake Harbour. I realize there is some planning in the budget for 1994-95, but I would like to know if the Minister could perhaps, give me a written response, answering my question. Thank you.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As I stated earlier, last week in the House, a new air terminal facility for Cape Dorset is in the long-term capital plan for 1995. It is the intention this summer to upgrade the airstrip facility, improve the lighting, and the new terminal building is earmarked for 1995.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Aivilik.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services, but I don't think he's here. Maybe I'll ask the House Leader. The Department of Public Works came to Coral Harbour to assess the government buildings, because there were some teachers interested in purchasing government housing which they occupied. However, once they came to Coral Harbour, they did not assess all the houses that needed to be assessed. They were to come back in September or October, but they never did. It is now the middle of December. Can the Minister tell me when the property appraisers will be in Coral Harbour again? The government rental scale has escalated quite a bit in some communities, including Coral Harbour. And some teachers and other employees of the government -- DPW employees, et cetera -- want to buy the houses, but they cannot get the property appraiser in town.

Thank you. The Government Leader, Ms. Cournoyea. The question was directed to the Minister of DPW, who is not in the House. Whoever is taking his responsibility...Ms. Cournoyea, go ahead.

The Honourable Minister Pollard has been asked by Mr. Morin to answer any questions and look after House business in his absence. Thank you.

Thank you. Government House Leader, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I don't know why all the houses were not done when the appraisers first visited Coral Harbour, and I don't know why the trip was cancelled in September, because I understood it was going to go ahead. But, the government is anxious to sell and if there are people anxious to buy, then we will send appraisers in there just as soon as we possibly can, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Just before we go on to written questions, I want to advise Members that I have been very lenient with the amount of time spent for preambles, and questions that have been posed during the past two days. However, in our new session in February, I will ask Members to be conscientious of the length of time used for preambles in questions posed. And, I would like to ask Ministers to be conscientious of the time spent in answering questions. Thank you.

Item 6, written questions. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My written question is to both the Ministers of Public Works and Personnel, as follows.

Would the Minister responsible for the Department of Personnel please advise this House of the following:

As I understand the staff housing strategy, all staff housing units were to be assessed for energy efficiency and state of repair. The Department of Personnel was then to reassess and adjust rental rates and rental increases, to reflect the condition of the housing unit.

1. Was there an assessment of the condition of the so-called "white row housing" units in Iqaluit?

2. What were the results of those assessments?

3. Have those results been reflected in reassessed rents?

Would the Minister responsible for the Department of Public Works please advise this House of the following. As I understand the staff housing strategy, all staff housing units were to be assessed for energy efficiency and state of repair. The Department of Personnel was then to reassess and adjust rental rates and rental increases to reflect the condition of the housing unit.

1. Was there an assessment of the condition of the so-called "white row housing" units in Iqaluit?

2. What were the results of those assessments?

3. Have those results been reflected in reassessed rents?

Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, written questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I have a series of questions. They are all related to the same subject. This is for the Minister of Renewable Resources.

Would the Minister of Renewable Resources please provide the following information to this House. A breakdown of the following species of big game taken last year in each hunting zone in the Mackenzie mountains:

- moose - bull, cow and calves

- caribou - bull, cow and calves

- grizzly bears

- black bears

- Dahl sheep - rams, ewes

What did each outfitter do with the meat of the animals taken?

Did any of the meat go to the communities? If so, which communities and when?

What was taken out of the country? Trophies? Were there export permits issued? How were they issued?

What was the number of people employed by the big game outfitters from each committee in the Deh Cho region, the Sahtu region and the Gwich'in region? Who were they and when were they employed?

Mahsi.

Thank you. Item 6, written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Item 8, replies to opening address. Item 9, petitions. Item 10, reports of standing and special committees. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

I have a report here that I wanted to read, but there is so much paper here that I can't find it.

Madam Speaker, this is in response to the options paper on deficit management by the Standing Committee on Finance.

Background

The issue of deficit management is one that has been addressed in a number of recent discussions between the Standing Committee on Finance, the Financial Management Board and the Department of Finance. The focus of these discussions has been financial management in general, the fiscal framework of the Government of the Northwest Territories and the 1994-95 capital estimates.

In its report on the review of the 1994-95 capital estimates, which was tabled on November 22, 1993, the Standing Committee on Finance said that, "We must all work toward solutions to the problem of deficit financing." Clearly, the Minister of Finance and Cabinet must provide the leadership to provide consensus on the strategies that are required to limit spending and maintain a strong fiscal position.

On December 9, 1993, the chairman of the Financial Management Board, provided the committee with an options paper on deficit management.

A Good Beginning

The problem addressed in this options paper is that large, unanticipated expenditures and revenue declines have placed the Government of the Northwest Territories in a significant deficit position for 1993-94. This deficit may carry forward to future fiscal years unless a plan of action can be agreed upon by the Legislative Assembly.

- The options paper briefly outlines the choices, that is, the basis options that are available for any government facing ongoing deficits;

- A framework for making choices - this section provides an illustration of how options can be evaluated based on overall government objectives and priorities; and,

- Options and actions - this section describes actions which could be taken within the context of the three basic options, outlined previously. The three basic options are: a) reduce spending, b) increase

revenues, and c) incur deficits and finance them through borrowing.

The options paper concludes with the following suggestions:

"The Government of the Northwest Territories faces a significant deficit which may continue and grow in future years if a deficit management plan is not agreed to.

To provide guidance in the development of a deficit management plan it is important that the government identify its fundamental objectives and priorities. Specific actions can then be selected and developed for subsequent approval and implementation."

Finance Committee's Assessment

The Standing Committee on Finance does not feel that the time is right to introduce the options paper in its present form, to committee of the whole for discussion. There are three basic reasons for this position. First, there is not enough time left in the current sitting to provide the attention that this matter requires. The options put forward in the paper are not specific enough to make discussion in committee of the whole really productive. Finally, because of a lack of clarity in the options presented, Members have not had an opportunity to discuss the government's fiscal position with their constituents.

Although committee Members were pleased with the framework presented in the options paper, they were, for a number of reasons, somewhat disappointed with its content. The reasons for the committee's dissatisfaction are outlined as follows:

- Members expected that the government would be further advanced in the process of deficit management than what is evidenced in this document.

- Members felt that the options paper reflected a lack of preparation and planning on the part of the government.

- The paper does not clearly specify or assess the details of the various choices available to deal with or avoid deficit financing.

- Members expected the government to assume a leadership role. The government should have used the vehicle of the options paper to present their preferred option, as well as the thinking and rationale behind that particular choice.

- The options paper does not provide a clear understanding of the potential implications of the choices presented. Ordinary Members and Members of the Standing Committee on Finance do not have the resources and the operational information available to Cabinet to accurately evaluate the implications of the various options.

- The government does not appear to have any clear and concrete guiding principles steering their overall fiscal policy.

The standing committee is left with two major concerns. The first issue is short term. The government does not appear to have a comprehensive set of priorities to guide its budgeting process. The second concern is longer term. The government does not have a comprehensive strategy which specifies and ties together, for the next ten years, various high priority issues such as: housing, health, the formula financing agreement with the federal government, education and training, land claims, official languages, transportation infrastructure, forestry and mining, the northern accord and the incremental costs of division of the Northwest Territories.

Issues And Recommendations

Although spending priorities were presented with the 1994-95 capital estimates, these were neither clear nor detailed enough to adequately guide the capital planning process. Furthermore, the detail of the capital estimates did not necessarily reflect the priorities as they were outlined by the government.

Committee Members are very concerned about the upcoming review of the 1994-95 operations and maintenance estimates. Members believe that the government must establish spending priorities which accurately reflect the current political realities of all Members of the Legislative Assembly and citizens of the Northwest Territories. Further, the 1994-95 operations and maintenance budget presented to the Standing Committee on Finance must clearly reflect these priorities. Finally, it is critical that strategies be developed to avoid deficit financing in the short and long term.

Recommendation 1

Therefore the committee recommends that the Department of Finance and the Financial Management Board develop a short-term strategy, aimed at avoiding deficit financing, to guide fiscal management for the 1994-95 fiscal year. This short-term strategy should be presented to the Standing Committee on Finance at the commencement of the committee's meetings on January 10, 1994, and should include the following:

- a discussion of the underlying principles, priorities and objectives;

- a discussion and assessment of deficit reduction options;

- a detailed deficit reduction plan for 1994-95; and,

- details of any federal/provincial/territorial plans for deficit reduction.

In the longer term, committee Members are very concerned by the fact that the Government of the Northwest Territories does not have a comprehensive strategic plan and fiscal policy in place to deal with high priority political issues. Further, Members feel that there is an urgency associated with the development and implementation of a long-term fiscal strategy and that it is essential that such a strategy be in place to ensure successful negotiations with the federal government who are also facing an ever worsening fiscal situation. The window of opportunity is very narrow and must not be missed.

Recommendation 2

issues and develop the political strategy to achieve the following results.

- Certainty of adequate funding to create and sustain two new territories with no diminished level of service.

- Each territory to be given the economic tools necessary to lessen their dependence on the federal government, for example, a northern accord and a mining accord.

- A ten-year financial agreement with the federal government to provide a basis of fiscal stability in order to facilitate the orderly constitutional evolution of two new territories.

The plan and the political strategy should be available to the Standing Committee on Finance for review in February, 1994.

Madam Speaker, that concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Finance on the committee's response to the options paper on deficit management.

Motion To Receive And Adopt Committee Report 1-12(5), Carried

I would therefore, move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, that Committee Report 1-12(5) be received and adopted. Mahsi.

Thank you. Your motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. To the motion. Madam Speaker, the committee uses some rather strong language, "Members expected that the government would be further advanced in the process of deficit management". We are fairly advanced, Madam Speaker. "Lack of preparation", we are fairly well-prepared, Madam Speaker, in our opinion. I do admit that the paper does not clearly specify or assess the details of their various choices, but I heard in the review, from various Members, that it's consultation, consultation, consultation. If I had come forward with a paper and placed it upon the table and said, well this is what we intend to do, then I would have likely received a response from Members saying, well you never consulted us, you didn't priorize with us. So, I placed a rather bland paper before this House to enable Members to do exactly what it says here in the issues and recommendations on page five, "Members believe" and I quote Madam Speaker, "that the government must establish spending priorities which accurately reflect the current political realities of all Members of the Legislative Assembly and citizens of the Northwest Territories". Where else am I going to get that political reality except from Members of this House? Who better can I get the reading of the Northwest Territories and its constituents from, but the Members who represent those constituents right on the floor of this House. So, that was the information that I was looking for, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, the report goes on to say that we must make an effort to have a plan for ten years. Madam Speaker, there is not a government across this country right now that can plan beyond three or four years. That's how fast this fiscal situation

is moving in the Northwest Territories, in the Yukon, in all of the provinces and with the Government of Canada.

Madam Speaker, it's like trying to keep up with a runaway train. What I wanted to do, by placing that discussion paper before this House, is to say look, give us some ideas of what the priorities are of this particular Legislative Assembly. I heard last week, I listened and I learned that social issues are a large concern. That's good, I know what to take to FMB the next time I'm there, to discuss with the Members the fact that you want to see senior citizens taken care of. You want to see the food basket money increase. You want to see that we have caring programs for people who are not as fortunate as us. I take that and understand it and I will do something about it.

But, you see, there are other things that we need to know. We need to know whether you want to priorize housing or whether you want to priorize education. We want to know whether you want to invest money in the economy. We want to know whether you want to continue with parks. We want to know whether you want to continue with an infrastructure for transportation. We want to know whether you want us to put pavement down on the road or leave it as gravel. We want to know if you want to put a new airport in or lengthen an airport or put in a new building. We want to know what Members are feeling, with regard to the political aspirations of their communities and the needs and the wants of their constituents. That was the reason that we placed this paper there.

Now, if you want us to come to you and say, well this is the decision that we've made based on what we've seen and heard maybe from Chambers of Commerce, maybe from the Association of Municipalities, maybe from a lot of the social organizations out there, that's fine. We'll bring that back to you and say, this is the budget as we see it. But, we really would have liked to get some discussion going to give us some direction about where you, the people who represent the people of the Northwest Territories, are coming from.

So, I will not be moving the motion today to move it into committee of the whole, Madam Speaker, as I think the committee report definitely suggests that I shouldn't do that. I want to let Members know that I am prepared to consult in groups, individually, any way you want to do it, on how we put together our budgets for the next three, four, five years and what emphasis should be placed upon those budgets. Thank you, Madam Speaker.