Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table a petition signed by 453 constituents in Iqaluit and a petition in the same form signed by 38 residents of Pangnirtung. Petition 4-12(3) reads, "We, the undersigned, do hereby petition to object to the recently announced rent increases, employee household allowance reduction and the intention of the Government of the Northwest Territories to shift the responsibility for payment of utilities to its employees. We base this objection on the following, the government has, without consultation, changed conditions of employment agreed to at time of hire, the decline in net income will place intolerable burdens on employees in communities which already have the highest cost of living in Canada and will damage northern businesses. These punitive increases will lead to many existing government employees quitting their jobs which will erode progress in affirmative action and increase southern hires, increase turnover, removal costs and welfare dependents. There are no decent, affordable and readily-available alternatives to staff housing at this time. Government employees in good faith agreed to significant wage restraints in recently completed contract negotiations, not expecting extreme increases in housing expenses. In closing, we hereby request that the recently announced unfair rent increases, employee household allowance reduction and utility charges be suspended until full public consultation takes place on existing and proposed rent, utility and home ownership policies." Thank you.

Item 9, petitions. Mr. Zoe.

Item 9, petitions. Mr. Pudlat.

(translation) I would like to table Petition 7-12(3). These are from Sanikiluaq and Lake Harbour. There are 75 names that are opposing the rental increase, especially government employees. They are requesting to have this rental increase reviewed first before the policy is passed. They are requesting that the rental increase be deferred to a later date, so it will be reviewed first before the policy comes into effect. I have five names on this petition. They are opposing the rental increase effective April 1. They would like the date deferred, perhaps to 1994. They are opposing paying for utilities effective April 1. They would like other options to be looked into before the policy is passed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 9, petitions. Item 10, reports of standing and special committees. Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Report On Bill 16

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Legislative Assembly that the Standing Committee on Legislation has reviewed Bill 16, Norman Wells Natural Gas Distribution System Act and wishes to report that Bill 16 is now ready for committee of the whole as amended and reprinted.

Pursuant to rule 66(5), Bill 16 is ordered into committee of the whole. That bill will go into committee of the whole within two days.

Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table Tabled Document 37-12(3). The document is a copy of the NWT Teachers' Association, Kitikmeot regional president's presentation made to the Kitikmeot Board of Education. It is pertaining to the GNWT long-term housing strategy. Thank you.

Item 12, tabling of documents. Mr. Patterson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table Tabled Document 38-12(3) a copy of a transcript of a CBC interview dated Tuesday, February 16, 1993. Thank you.

Item 12, tabling of documents. Mr. Zoe.

Item 12, tabling of documents. I wish to table Tabled Document 40-12(3) the report of the Chief Conflict of Interest Commissioner, pursuant to section 81(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. Item 13, notices of motion. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, February 19, 1993 I will move the following motion.

Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River, that the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford, be appointed as the deputy chairman of the committee of the whole.

---Applause

Item 13, notices of motion. Mr. Zoe.

Item 13, notices of motion. Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, February 19, 1993 I shall move that Bill 17, Appropriation Act No. 2, 1993-94 be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 15, motions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to proceed with my motion on the appointment of the deputy chairman of the committee of the whole.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS, there is a requirement for two Members to hold a position of deputy chairman of the committee of the whole;

AND WHEREAS, there is a vacancy in one of these positions;

AND WHEREAS, it is desirable to fill this vacancy;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River that the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford, be appointed as deputy chairman of the committee of the whole.