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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. "They didn't understand that years were numbered. Today, Inuit understand calendars." Another problem is at the time that project surname was conducted, people used their given names. For example, those who were born shortly after project surname will be registered in Winnipeg or other southern cities under a given Inuit name and not necessarily under their last name.

To complicate things even more, the nurse or interpreter, who registers newborns for live births, will spell the name differently from the present spelling by that individual. When that individual tries to get a birth certificate, the Registrar General is unable to find any record of live birth for that individual. Mr. Speaker, I am saying this from first-hand knowledge. I have a younger brother who is alive today, without a birth certificate, all because the Registrar General in Winnipeg is not able to find his registration of live birth.

I am to the point now where I would even suggest that a comprehensive project, such as project surname, be conducted. The person who performs the project does not have to interview each and every individual. Most of the work has been done by Abe Okpik. He or she will only have to call on those who need to have their birth certificates corrected. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Arngna'naaq. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Whitford.

Have you concluded, Mr. Whitford? Your allotted time has elapsed. Mr. Whitford has concluded. Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Minister Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Lewis on November 29, 1993, about Keeping the Circle Strong in Northern Communities conference and GNWT involvement. The Keeping the Circle Strong in Northern Communities conference, held two weeks ago in Yellowknife, was sponsored by Northern Addiction Services. Funding and other support for this conference came from both federal and territorial governments.

The focus of the conference was on solvent abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome, fetal alcohol effects, addictions and suicide. The conference provided a forum for experts from the north, other parts of Canada and, indeed the world, to share their knowledge and expertise.

The conference was designed to share information and ideas where much is still unknown. No resolutions or recommendations were formulated. However, a report of the proceedings is currently being prepared by Northern Addiction Services and will be available by December 15, 1993. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. About one week ago, I asked a question of the Minister of DPW. He responded to my question, but he stated that he does not know whether there was a DPW maintainer in the community. When I was in Sanikiluaq, in October, that position was still vacant. I would like the Minister responsible for DPW to see if he can find out when the government maintainer position was last filled in Sanikiluaq. Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Public Works and Services has two positions in Sanikiluaq, a power plant operator/supervisor and a settlement maintainer. The power plant operator/supervisor position has been vacant for months. The department is now operating the plant through contract services. The responsibility for the operation of the Sanikiluaq power plant is scheduled to be transferred to the NWT Power Corporation in April of 1994. That's when they'll be hiring a new person for that position.

The settlement maintainer position has been vacant since May of 1993. That position was filled with a resident, hired on a casual basis, for June and July. A plumber from Igloolik handled that maintenance responsibility until the middle of September. Since then, we've had that position on contract with JT Ann Construction. That's a private business out of Sanikiluaq. We went to competition and we didn't have anyone apply for that position, so we've gone to competition again. It should be closing fairly shortly and hopefully we will have someone apply for that position. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Justice. In view of what I outlined in my earlier statement regarding what many of my constituents have identified as a problem in the legalities and costs of hiring a lawyer to correct the spelling of their names, will the Minister commit to initiating the necessary amendments to allow for name changes, with minimal paper work and costs to individuals who wish to do so?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

Minister Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The act will be tabled during the Fifth Session. Thank you.

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

I understand the department has hired Professor Nelson as a consultant, who is with the criminology department at the Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. I'd like to ask the Minister if she has had an opportunity to meet with Professor Nelson in connection with this act.

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have not.