Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I hope you've all had the opportunity this week to sample the jerky, pepperoni, sausages and the roasts all made from muskox. These products were processed in the Kitikmeot foods facility located in Cambridge Bay. I hope you all enjoyed them as I was happy to have been able to provide them. As we all know, we have also had the pleasure of sampling the local white fish and pickerel provided by Mr. Lewis, and buffalo from Mr. Gargan's road kill program. I believe the qualities of these products have clearly shown that our northern country foods can, and should, displace some of the southern imports.

Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding, in discussions with my honourable colleague from Yellowknife Centre, that he entered into a negotiated contract for the cooking of his white fish and pickerel which he so graciously supplied last week. As we all know, Mr. Lewis has raised concerns regarding negotiated contracts. I'm sure he agonized over the decision of whether or not to negotiate this particular contract. Mr. Speaker, I, as well, carefully contemplated the possibility of entering into a negotiated contract. However, in the end, my political intuition advised me against it. I wasn't quite satisfied that I could identify significant economic benefits to local individuals, with the exception of one cook. The other critical factor in my decision against a negotiated contract was the fact that a large majority of the muskox products, specifically the roast, were precooked in Cambridge Bay. Mr. Speaker, although I support the concept of negotiating a contract where significant local economic benefits will be derived as a result of the contract, I'm sorry to say that in this particular circumstance it couldn't be done. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on November 8, 1993, the Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops, appearing before the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People, made 11 commitments to the aboriginal people of Canada. The Catholic Church of Canada, through this proclamation, has apologized for previous excesses suffered at the hands of organized religion, such as the abuse of aboriginals in residential schools operated by the Catholic Church.

They have also expressed their regret that aboriginal people lost their right of free expression and celebration of their spiritual life, as a result of aboriginal contact with European culture. They have also said that the church will continue to support aboriginal desire for self-government in concrete and public ways. Also, Mr. Speaker, the church has committed itself to organizing local forums where healing and reconciliation can occur, to benefit those members of the aboriginal communities who have been abused in residential schools or other church-sponsored institutions.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud the commitments made by the Catholic Church to the aboriginal people of Canada. The Catholic Church now appears to be completely behind the aspirations of aboriginals everywhere in Canada. Mr. Speaker, there are several programs that must be offered to aboriginals, in order for us to realize our goals. We must be afforded adequate housing, in order to break the vicious cycle of overcrowding and poverty. We must, as a government, implement the recommendations of the Special Committee on Health and Social Services to make the programs offered by these agencies more accessible to all residents of the territories.

Mr. Speaker, programs such as a First Nations policing program must be looked at seriously by this government. We must give the Dene, Inuit and Metis people of the Northwest Territories the mechanism to pursue our rights to self-determination. Mr. Speaker, the Catholic Church has committed itself in this process of self-determination. We, as a government, must not just state our support for the principles of self-determination. We must act on this belief in a timely and equitable manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Gargan. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Ordinary Members' Caucus, it was noted that on November 29, in this House, the Minister of Social Services reported the increased expenditures her department has made in social assistance food rates. Most important was her reference to increases that were made this past October.

These increases resulted from changes in the food scales, based on the 1991 food price survey. In her words, and I quote, "For a family of four, the changes will mean increases of up to $280 per month." However, Mr. Speaker, what the Minister failed to mention was that the changes in the food scales did not result in increases for everyone. While total expenditures will go up, and while there are increases in many communities, many other communities saw their food rates stay, essentially, unchanged.

Some of these are the larger communities of Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith and Inuvik. A few communities, namely Holman, Gjoa Haven, Pelly Bay, and Taloyoak, actually saw food rates decreased. Mr. Speaker, the fact is, even after these adjustments to the food rates, the amount provided by Social Services to families on social assistance is not enough. The food rates in most communities only provide for 50 to 70 per cent of the cost of a nutritious food basket, as defined by the federal government.

Although this concern was expressed by the Special Committee on Health and Social Services, the government has not acted. The October adjustment in the food rate scales still means, that on average, a family on social assistance only receives enough to buy about two-thirds of a nutritious food basket, or less. The Minister told the House on March 18, 1993, that, and I quote, "The matter of food allowances remains a priority concern of our government. Members can be assured that they will receive serious review and consideration over the next few months."

Mr. Speaker, Members don't feel that the recent changes reflect a serious review. The issue is that the food rates are not enough to adequately feed families in the north. Members believe that a serious review would address that issue, and not just tinker with the system in place. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on December 1, 1993, CBC Mackenzie reported on government contractual practices in Fort Simpson. Mr. Miller of the radio station interviewed a Mr. Schober and Mr. Rowe, regarding the awarding of contracts by direct negotiation, in Fort Simpson. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Schober, in this interview, stated that his company in Simpson is barely holding out, for the lack of business due to direct negotiations that the NWT corporation has executed with the band in Fort Simpson.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Schober has received substantial contracts with the band for mechanical and plumbing work in the 1992-93 building year, as well as this current, 1993-94, building year. The Fort Simpson band says that it is making sure that the best interests of the whole community are being looked after, by ensuring the community businesses are receiving benefits from their own contracts. We have awarded contracts to community businesses even though they are not the lowest bidders, to make sure local businesses have a fair share.

They have done a labour and community breakdown with regard to this year's access projects. For the materials, supplies and sub contracts, just about half of the funds have been spent in the community. Just over half have been spent in the north, and only $216.29 was spent in the south. All of the labour dollars have been spent in the community. The Fort Simpson band membership represents approximately 70 per cent of population of the community.

Historically, opportunities for economic development and equal access to employment for the Dene has been sadly lacking. Not once have outside companies, such as those interviewed, sub-contracted the band for work, when they have been awarded contracts, themselves. The negotiated contracts with the Government of the Northwest Territories have allowed the band to make commitments to training its membership. This year we have 11 trainees registered under the construction worker training program. They have four registered carpenters' apprentices, as well as three tradesmen who are presently in the process of documenting experience and skill upgrading so they may challenge the trades certification exam.

If this contract had gone to a competitive bid, they would not have been able to afford to do all this training. At the completion of their training program, these individuals would be able to access employment...

Mr. Antoine...

I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.

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

At the completion of their training program, these individuals will be able to access employment that is equal in pay and benefits with the majority of people in the north. The Fort Simpson council states that it wishes to express their appreciation to this government for the existence of the negotiated contracts. Without these awards, the band membership, the majority of the people in this community, would continue to be denied the rights and opportunities taken for granted by other residents of the Northwest Territories. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Whitford.

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. Item 3, Members' statements. That concludes this item. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on December 3, 1993 and it concerns, Mr. Speaker, the Alcohol and Drug Board of Management, funds for August meeting.

Mr. Speaker, the funding for the Alcohol and Drug Board of Management was eliminated from the budget of the Department of Social Services at the beginning of the 1992-93 fiscal year. The board was not dissolved at that time. The appointments of the board members remained in effect for the duration of that particular year.

The contribution policy of the department required the board of management to review all applications for new funding in the alcohol and drug field and to make recommendations to the Minister. A number of new applications were received in the summer of 1992 and, because the contribution policy had not yet been amended to eliminate the role of the board, it was necessary to convene a meeting in August of that year.

The board meeting cost, Mr. Speaker, a total of $3,176 including travel, honoraria, per diems and accommodation. The meeting was funded from the headquarters' administration budget of the alcohol and drug and community mental health division. The alcohol and drug contribution policy was amended at the beginning of the 1993-94 fiscal year to delete reference to the role of the board of management. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pollard. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Return to an oral question asked by Mr. Arvaluk on December 8 with respect to stockpiles transferred for roads in Chesterfield Inlet.

In response to the question raised by the Member for Aivilik on December 3, I wish to advise that there are two gravel stockpiles in Chesterfield Inlet. The one at the airport is no longer a federal stockpile, as it was part of the B and C airports transfer. The other in the community was produced by Public Works and Services for community purposes.

On analysis, the Department of Transportation found that the airport stockpile had a low fine content, which made it unsuitable for direct application to the runway surface. As a result, material was purchased this past summer from the community stockpile for the runway resurfacing.

At the present time, each of these two stockpiles contain approximately 8000 cubic metres of gravel. It has been determined that mixing gravel from both piles will produce a gravel that is suitable for the runway's resurfacing.

Therefore, with respect to the Member's question, the airport stockpile is not surplus to the Department of Transportation's need. It appears there is sufficient material in the two stockpiles to adequately meet all the community needs for some time, including both the road repair and runway resurfacing programs. And, in fact, cooperation and coordination of the granular material programs between the various departments is already occurring to provide the least cost solution to meet the community needs.

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Madam Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Koe on December 8 regarding the Alcohol and Drug Board of Management.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that informal consultation did take place on the status of the board of management for alcohol and drugs. I know how important it is for consultation on this kind of issue and if full consultation was not undertaken, then this is not satisfactory.

I will talk to Ministers to emphasize the continued importance of consultation and communication to avoid confusion in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I have another return to an oral question asked by Mr. Allooloo, on December 7, regarding languages.

Mr. Speaker, first I would like to clarify any confusion surrounding the language agreements this government has with the Government of Canada.

The GNWT has two language agreements. One of these is the Canada/Northwest Territories agreement for French minority language and French second language. This agreement provides funds for French language education and is administered by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

The other agreement is the Canada/Northwest Territories cooperation agreement for French and aboriginal languages in the Northwest Territories, which provides funding for the maintenance, revitalization and enhancement of aboriginal languages as well as 100 per cent funding for the provision of French language services. This is the agreement which I am responsible for and to which questions have been raised in this House.

Under this agreement, funds can be transferred within a specific fiscal year between approved projects, if the transfer does not increase or decrease the affected project budgets by more than 25 per cent. Federal ministerial approval is required for transfers of over 25 per cent. All these changes must still meet the goals and objectives agreed to by Canada the Northwest Territories.

I would like to inform this House that funding under the Canada/Northwest Territories cooperation agreement for French and aboriginal languages was reduced by ten per cent for both French and aboriginal languages.

At no time did this government negotiate a reduction in this ten per cent cut.

The four per cent cut referred to by my honourable colleague, Mr. Nerysoo, applies to the Canada/Northwest Territories agreement for French minority language and French second language.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Lewis on December 7 regarding the Canada/Northwest Territories language agreements.

Mr. Lewis asked if there was a requirement for written authorization to be provided by the federal government in order to transfer money between projects under the Canada/Northwest Territories cooperation agreement for French and aboriginal languages. He also asked if authorization had ever been made for transfers beyond 25 per cent.

Under this agreement, funds can be transferred within a specific fiscal year between approved projects if the transfer does not increase or decrease the affected projects budget by more that 25 per cent. Federal ministerial approval is required for transfers of over 25 per cent. All these changes must still meet the goals and objectives agreed to by Canada and the Northwest Territories.

When sufficient notice has been given, this government has, in the past, submitted amendments to the federal government for transfer of funds greater than 25 per cent between projects. These amendments have been approved by the federal government.

However, Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that the transfer of funds between aboriginal languages (Appendix A) and French (Appendix B) or the transfer of funds between fiscal years are not allowed under the agreement.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell, on December 8, regarding the type of expertise shared with other groups.

The Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources has commissioned a series of studies on the mineral industry. The Northwest Territories mining statistics survey, 1990-92, NWT business opportunities and non-resident worker study.

Drafts of these studies have been received by the department. These drafts will be finalized within the month.

I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Arngna'naaq on December 8 concerning transfer of EM&PR positions to the east.

The Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is very small and has few program responsibilities.

No transfers have been made to the east to date. With the devolution of minerals from the federal government, the department would acquire significantly greater responsibilities and person-years. Although the number and location of staff to handle such functions as mining records and district geologists cannot be determined at this time, they do lend themselves to being decentralized. Minerals staff would be located in the east, following devolution.

Mr. Speaker, I have a final return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell, on December 8, regarding division secretariat established by Cabinet.

Mr. Speaker, the Division Review Committee has been formed to deal with administrative and organizational matters pertaining to division.

The committee is chaired by the secretary to Cabinet, membership includes: the principal secretary; the deputy ministers of Education, Culture and Employment; Justice, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs; Public Works and Services; Financial Management Board; Municipal and Community Affairs; Finance; Personnel, assistant deputy minister; Renewable Resources; NWT Housing Corporation; regional director, Kitikmeot; and, regional director, Inuvik.

Three subcommittees have been formed to deal with the work-load. One, infrastructure, chairman, deputy minister of Public Works and Services. Two, subcommittee, education/training/human resource planning, chairman, deputy minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Three, finance/fiscal/agreements, chairman, deputy minister of Finance. All deputy ministers can attend meetings.

The division review committee's mandate is to develop and make recommendations to Cabinet on operational and administrative matters relating to division, provide technical analysis and gather information on the operations of two new territorial governments, and serve as the primary contact point between Canada, Nunavut Tunngavik and the GNWT at the bureaucratic level.

The secretariat consists of two staff who are being funded from internal resources. Costs have been kept to a minimum with departments providing expertise in specific areas. No decisions have been made on the size, shape or organization of the secretariat until caucus and the Legislative Assembly have determined how they will address division issues.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Lewis, on December 8, regarding promoting prospecting as a career.

Through funding available from various sources, including the economic development agreement with the federal government, Arctic College provides a 30-day prospector training course which addresses claim staking, soil sampling and operating geotechnical equipment. This course has been offered four times in the Keewatin, since 1989. A total of 12 students took the most recent course, offered in Baker Lake. Also, six students took the program in Deline and, currently, six students are taking the program in Rae Edzo.

In addition, the college offers an evening prospecting course for amateurs. A total of 21 students have taken the program in Yellowknife.

The Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources also provides support to prospecting. Through EDA funding the department provides a grub stake program. Individuals who have experience in prospecting or mining, or who have taken the prospecting course can apply for assistance through this program. In 1992-93, there was $48,000 available and eight prospectors received financial assistance. In 1993-94, the fund was increased to $88,500 and 16 prospectors received assistance.

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Gargan on November 25, 1993 with regard to the policy for non-medical escorts.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories provides medical travel benefits to eligible residents who must travel in order to access necessary and appropriate health services. Under Schedule B of the medical travel policy 91.02 (June 9, 1992) a non-medical escort is authorized when the patient requires an escort for interpretation during medical travel.

Mr. Speaker, the incident referred to by the Member from Deh Cho appears to have occurred several years ago. Depending on the date of the occurrence, the obligations under the Official Languages Act and the medical travel policy may have been different at the time.

If the honourable Member wishes to provide me with additional information on the matter, I will look into it further. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Minister Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Return to an oral question asked by Mr. Gargan on December 7, 1993.

During 1992, there were eight departmental and 31 private adoptions, for a total of 39. Of these, only 15 aboriginal children were placed in non-aboriginal homes.

The department adoption program gives preference to aboriginal children being placed with extended family or other aboriginal families. Aboriginal children are placed in non-aboriginal families as a second choice. Mothers who choose to place their children for departmental adoption are offered a variety of services, including counselling by local workers.

In private adoption matters, placement of the child is the sole decision of the birth parent(s) and notice is given to the superintendent of child welfare. The department has no authority to prevent placement by aboriginal people of their children with non-native families. Mothers who choose to place their child through private adoption can receive counselling through the department, if they so desire. Private adoptions are essentially a legal matter and social services' involvement occurs usually only after the child has been in the adoptive placement for six months.

The department's response to the family law review on private adoption will be to provide culturally sensitive counselling in the communities to birth parents. Birth mothers will be provided with information pertaining to their rights and the advantages in keeping their child in the same culture and community. The department will propose legislative changes to protect the rights

of birth parents.

I have another return, Mr. Speaker. Return to Oral Question asked by Mr. Lewis on December 8, 1993.

Mr. Speaker, on December 6, 1993, Mr. Lewis asked me if I was aware that the Department of Social Services had hired a Professor Gordon, from Simon Fraser University, to assist in the drafting of the Guardianship Act. He asked if I had met with the professor to discuss the new act. I told Mr. Lewis that I was not aware that Professor Gordon was in town and that I had not met with him.

Mr. Lewis asked that, since Professor Gordon had been involved in the development of a controversial guardianship act in BC, I should review the act, in detail, to ensure that I agree with the underlying principles and philosophy of this new act.

I want to correct the record since the exchange of questions and answers on this issue left the impression that a consultant had been hired for this work which I as Minister, did not know about. In fact, Mr. Speaker, the department has not hired Professor Gordon to do any work on its behalf and the drafting of the new Guardianship Act was done entirely in-house. I hope this clarifies the issue.

I have another return, Mr. Speaker. Return to Oral Question asked by Mr. Dent on December 6, 1993.

Mr. Speaker, the report prepared by Muskox Program Development Ltd. is in the final stages of completion and will be delivered to the Department of Social Services this week. The report will outline strategic planning options and recommendations for addressing alcohol and other drug abuse and addictions. These will be integrated into an overall departmental strategy to be completed in the fall of 1994.

Thank you, Ms. Mike. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked on December 6, 1993 concerning fire and liability insurance carried on government units.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT insures all of the staff housing units that it owns under an all property blanket insurance policy against all risks of physical loss or damage. This includes fire up to a limit of $50 million for any one loss. The coverage is subject to a deductible of $100,000 per claim.

Mr. Speaker, contents of staff housing that are owned by the GNWT are also insured by this policy. Contents owned by the staff occupying these units are not insured by the GNWT and are the responsibility of individual owners.

The blanket insurance policy covers all GNWT-owned property, but does not include single-family and duplex units owned by the Housing Corporation. These are self-insured by the corporation because it has been determined to be more cost-effective.

Both the GNWT and the Housing Corporation carry third party liability insurance against claims arising from its operations and from claims related to staff housing. This insurance is up to a limit of $25 million against any one claim and is subject to a $5,000 deductible for any one loss. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pollard. Item 4, returns to oral questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a Return to Oral Question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on December 8, 1993.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, MLA for Thebacha, asked me to consider reinstating the Alcohol and Drug Board of Management. There have been a long series of questions on this matter and I know that it is a serious issue for the Member.

However, it is also a serious issue for me, as the Minister responsible for the program. I think it is time to clarify my position on the board's existence in an honest and straightforward manner, so all Members will understand my position.

I think the board did good work since its establishment, however, in answering the Member's questions on this issue, I have to consider the overall financial and policy framework of the department. Social Services is entering an intensive planning period from now until the fall of 1994. We will require a great deal of advice from Members, interest groups and Members of the public. At this point, reinstating a board to provide specific advice on matters related to alcohol and drug abuse, would detract from the overall planning and consultation effort. That is one reason why I am reluctant to consider reinstating the board.

However, Mr. Speaker, the most compelling reason is financial. This board costs $50,000 per year to operate. In our current financial situation, that is a lot of money. The Special Committee on Health and Social Services has identified a wide variety of initiatives, which will require a substantial budget increase from my department. As an example, Members have been questioning me throughout this session about why I have not increased the wages of alcohol and drug workers. The capital review of the department's budget identified serious concerns about the lack of money for elders' facilities. The department does not have sufficient salary dollars to provide relief and support to the community workers.

These and other pressing financial demands mean that I have to be diligent to make sure every dollar we spend is well-used for the benefit of all northerners. With these concerns in mind, Mr. Speaker, it would not be responsible for any Minister to take money away from a program delivery to fund an advisory body. Therefore, I am not prepared to reinstate the Alcohol and Drug Board of Management. On the other hand, I am prepared to listen to the views of Members on this issue, it if is the will of this House, that this board should be reinstated, despite these considerations, I will make every effort to do so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Mike. Item 4, returns to oral questions. That concludes this item. Item 5, oral questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the full response from the Minister of Social Services on the questions that I raised about the writing of a new Guardianship Trustee Act.

Mr. Speaker, we've been working on an act now for many, many years. The last one, as I said, was in 1988. So, I would like to ask the Minister, since there have been major revisions to acts in both Manitoba and British Columbia, and since she has indicated that the work that we're doing is entirely in-house, has she, in fact, consulted with these other jurisdictions that have revised their Guardianship Acts?

Minister Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have to take the Member's question as notice. Thank you.

The question has been taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister responsible for Social Services. The Minister indicated that the Department of Social Services has incurred additional expenditures with the result of the increase in food allowances in the area of social assistance. I have been wondering -- and I would like to get an answer from the Minister -- are the communities of Pelly Bay, Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak and Holman Island paying this additional expenditure to fund the other communities across the territories, so that the recipient would get some extra funding under the program? Thank you.

Minister Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The additional dollars I mentioned in my Minister's statement are the new dollars, in addition to the previous money. The decreases have been set, based on the food cost surveys that were carried out in 1991, by the bureau of statistics.

Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a hard time understanding the rationale behind the reduction in food allowances for those communities. Perhaps the cost of living has gone down in those communities in the last 18 months. Thank you.

Minister Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have provided the Member with the results of the surveys he requested. For food rates for a family of four in Mr. Ningark's riding, specifically Pelly Bay, before October 1, 1992 it was $173 and after October 1, 1993, it was $170. So there is a difference of $3. That is all for now.

Item 5, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Social Services. Mr. Speaker, the Minister

has indicated the food cost survey was conducted by the Bureau of Statistics. As a result, it appears, particularly in the Kitikmeot region, this has resulted in a decrease of funding for social assistance food allowance. Since this has been a concern, I'd like to say to the Minister, at the very least, we believe the food allowances should have stayed the same and not decreased. Will she look at these new food rates that have been approved by her department as of October 1, and increase the food allowances, particularly in the communities that have been decreased? Thank you.

Minister Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think there were two questions in one. I definitely will have the department look them over again and provide the Member with the results. According to the results, the costs will be applied. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the Minister said she would have the department look at it, but if she would take a moment and decide to look at the issue at hand. We have three communities, particularly in the Kitikmeot region, that have absorbed the decrease in the food allowance. We have other communities that have had substantial increases in the food allowance, particularly in the communities of Colville Lake, Paulatuk and other areas that have increased in the scales. I think they have increased by five scales, according to social assistance food scales. I'd like to ask the Minister once more, whether she would review this to, at the very least, maintain the food allowances for the Kitikmeot region. Thank you.

That's really two questions, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Minister Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a few days ago I said yes, I will review the rates. I thought when I gave the direction to the department to look into the cost of the food in the communities, that I was being fair. I think I would be supported in the majority of the communities out there. Out in the communities I really feel I have the support from them. When I decided and gave the instruction to the department to increase the rates based on the food costs in the communities, I thought I did the right thing. It would not be fair of the communities, who may have lower food cost rates, to have the same increases as the other communities, who may need it more. I will look into this, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, whether the Minister has support in the communities is one issue, but we're bringing up a totally different issue. I want to ask the Minister how she can justify, in her social assistance food rates, increasing the community of Colville Lake from scale five, prior to October, 1993, to scale ten, effective October, 1993; the community of Paulatuk from scale eight, prior to October, 1993, to scale ten, effective October, 1993; and, at the same time, decrease Gjoa Haven, Pelly Bay and Taloyoak to lower scales when we know that the cost of food certainly doesn't decrease. Can the Minister justify, in this House, changes of the food scales that her department implemented effective in October? Thank you.

Minister Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will instruct the department to reinstate the $3.00 difference for the community of Pelly Bay, and how much ever else there is difference in the other communities. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further on the issue of food allowances, will the Minister of Social Services acknowledge that the present food allowance rates, even with the cost of living increase that's been discussed in this House, still only cover between 50 and 70 per cent of the cost of a nutritious food basket? Thank you.

Minister Mike.

Mr. Speaker, is he asking me my personal opinion, or as the Minister? He is asking me if I will acknowledge this. As the Minister responsible, I know the food basket is never up to par up here. You know that. Thank you.

I will remind Ministers that they are aware of the facts that are available to them from their officials, either the Speaker or Members aren't always aware of that. So, it's up to the Minister to know whether those facts remain available to the Ministers. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, thank you. The Minister, I believe, has acknowledged the fact that the food allowance rates presently in place in the Northwest Territories, even with the recently announced increases, only cover, in some cases, half and up to 70 per cent of the amount needed to provide nutritious food for families in the Northwest Territories. So I would like to ask the Minister, is it her priority, as Minister of

Social Services, to address this serious nutritional disparity in preparing the budget for the Department of Social Services for the coming fiscal year? Thank you.

Minister Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the responsibility of Social Services is to look after families and the children who are in need.

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, with respect, I didn't ask the Minister, is it the responsibility of the Minister of Social Services to look after families and children in need. That was the question she answered. What I asked was -- and I'll use up another supplementary asking it again and I'll try to put it in different words -- does the Minister intend to make it a priority in preparing the budget for the coming fiscal year, to address the shortfall in nutritious food baskets in the present social assistance rates? Thank you.

Minister Mike.

Mr. Speaker, I already said, yes, in my prior reply.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for social housing programs. In the more northerly communities, snowfall can be very sudden and winds can blow furiously overnight. When you wake up, sometimes there are drifts of more than six feet covering the ground to people's doorsteps. The housing authorities or the government in these communities expect residents to provide snow removal services from the access road to their homes. My question to the honourable Minister, Mr. Speaker, is the policy of removing snow on the access road applicable to the senior citizens or to the tenants who are living in public units? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding that it is the Housing Corporation's responsibility to service the unit. It is the Housing Corporation's responsibility to deliver fuel and water to their units, or have it delivered by contract. So, it should be the Housing Corporation's responsibility to remove the snow. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the honourable Minister review this and perhaps communicate with the housing authorities that it is, in fact, the responsibility of the housing associations, under the system of the NWT Housing Corporation, to provide snow removal to service access roads to public units? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will look into this issue and inform all the housing associations in the Northwest Territories what the policy is. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Safety and Public Services. Yesterday, during question period, the Minister of Social Services stated that food survey costs were done by vital statistics in 1991. I'm a bit confused, Mr. Speaker, because I thought that the vital statistics division looked after registering births and deaths, and other such statistics. I didn't know they were in the consumer services business. Can the Minister clarify as to which division within the Department of Safety and Public Services did do the food survey costs?

Minister Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I'll have to take that question as notice. Thank you.

The question has been taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Social Services. It is with regard to the senior citizens' fuel subsidy. Mr. Speaker, I ran into a situation, where a senior was going to turn 60 during the fiscal year. But, because he wasn't 60 yet, he wasn't given fuel. I would like to ask the Minister, what are the guidelines, with regard to how a person is eligible for that subsidy? Is it when you turn 60, is it a birthday present or something? Or, is it when you turn 60 during that year?

Minister Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have

to take his question as notice. Thank you.

The question has been taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of MACA. Yesterday, I asked the Minister of Transportation a question and he told me, "I assure the honourable Member that I will visit Chesterfield Inlet and will move quickly to try to get the federal government to agree to transfer that gravel pile over to the municipality so they can use it for road improvement in Chesterfield Inlet." Will the Minister of MACA, then, tell the House, or at least assure my constituency, that he will ensure that road improvement funding will be made available for work to be done this summer?

Mr. Todd.

We did move quickly in identifying the gravel, Mr. Speaker, and there are discussions under way on how we will blend the federal gravel and the GNWT gravel. I have had some discussions with the mayor and the honourable Member, and it is our intention to do a road upgrade this summer in Chesterfield Inlet, yes.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct this question to the Minister of Social Services. Last week, I asked this question with regard to child assistance. The family allowance has been cut to some of the families, even though they are going to school. The families do not receive any more cheques for family allowance, even if there isn't anyone employed in the family.

I remember, since I was born, we were told to move to the communities and the children started going to school. Then families would start receiving family allowances if the children went to school. That is why I'm asking this question, Mr. Speaker. Even though the children are going to school, why is family allowance being cut off? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, the child tax credit has replaced family allowance. The family allowance that was paid out by the Government of Canada has been deleted. Now, they work on the basis of a child tax credit. In order to receive a tax credit, one must have filed an income tax form with the Government of Canada for the previous year.

I realize that the message has probably not gotten out to all the Northwest Territories, and, as I said earlier this session, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Gargan made us aware of it, and we had the federal government do a considerable amount of advertising in this regard. Last week, at the Finance Ministers' meeting, I had the opportunity to have this discussion, with regard to Nunavut and the people there. I talked to the deputy minister of Revenue Canada about redoubling our efforts to do some work, to ensure that people know how they go about applying for and receiving the child tax credit.

He said he recognizes the problem and we will do more work to make sure that people understand that there is no more family allowance, but there is a child tax credit they can avail themselves of, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Public Works and Services. I understand that a tender call for the operation of a petroleum storage and pipeline distribution facility at Iqaluit airport -- which was originally to close August, and has been delayed each month until now -- has recently been cancelled by the federal government. And, the reason for this cancellation, I understand, is that the Government of the Northwest Territories has entered into negotiations with the Government of Canada to transfer ownership of the capital facilities, the tank farm and pipeline distribution facility. Is it correct that the Government of the Northwest Territories proposes to take over this federal facility? Thank you.

Minister. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we are going to start negotiating.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In that case, I would like to ask the Minister whether the object of the Government of the Northwest Territories is in acquiring this facility? Thank you.

Minister Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reason to negotiate the takeover of this tank farm with Transport Canada, is so we have ownership of the tank farms in the Baffin. The main advantage of the GNWT to assume ownership of that tank facility is that the resupply of the Iqaluit tank farm can be blended in with the resupply of Baffin. That way, we will increase the volume of fuel. Hopefully, with the larger volume,

we will be able to get a better price on fuel. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am certainly supportive of the goals outlined by the Minister, especially for the need to lower fuel prices in Baffin, but is it proposed that there be a process of consultation with MLAs in the region, the Baffin Chamber of Commerce and other interested persons as this process moves forward? Thank you.

Minister Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Whenever we do anything of this sort, community consultation is going to happen for sure. We have just initiated discussions with the federal government and there are plans to consult with the community as well as the MLA for Iqaluit. That is all part of the negotiation process. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given that the Minister is interested in acquiring a storage facility, which will allow for a larger volume of product in resupplying the Baffin and consequent economies of scale, is the department aware of the existence of large empty storage facilities, which are now owned by Falcon Bridge Mines, which I think would be available at a very low price, to perhaps achieve the same ends at Deception Bay?

Minister Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure if the department is aware of that tank farm at Deception Bay, but they will be now. Thank you.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize two pages from Nahendeh from Mr. Antoine's riding, Terrance Nahanni and Justin Hazenburg. They have been here all week and they are going home tomorrow.

---Applause

You did a great job. Thank you very much. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.