Ms. Cournoyea.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member did ask a question on the previous outage, and I did not receive any information from the NWT Power Corporation. However, I will take this into consideration, find out what happened and report back tomorrow. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Premier. Like many northerners, Mr. Speaker, I was annoyed to learn that a ten year agreement had been renewed between Canada and the United States to allow more testing of the cruise missile over the Mackenzie Valley. I am not satisfied with this, Mr. Speaker. I was further annoyed by the silence from our government. Can the Premier indicate whether the Government of the Northwest Territories had any input into the decision to finalize this deal between the federal government and the United States? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, over the last number of years there have been several initiatives to have the voice of the Northwest Territories, on behalf of its people, be heard. The former Government Leader had endeavoured to have this relationship considered on a discussion paper. In October, 1991, the Department of National Defence responded to the discussion paper, which we did send in, regarding the ongoing negotiations to determine measures which can contribute to world peace. They said it did not include the establishment of a circumpolar zone of peace and security. The federal government considers cruise missile testing and low level training missions in the north as an important contribution to NATO's defence capabilities.

Canadian Armed Forces will continue to maintain considerable air and sub-surface surveillance to reinforce Canadian sovereignty in the north. National Defence is committed to working with the Government of the Northwest Territories respecting its military activities in the Northwest Territories and has established a new directorate in Ottawa to assess the environmental, economic, social and community relations impact of defence activities. Changing the national/international circumstances are contributing to an ongoing review of the Canadian military's mandate and future direction. As Minister Campbell's recent announcement demonstrates, this review produces decisions even though United States administration has only been in office for a few weeks. A letter has been sent, Mr. Speaker, to the Minister of Defence Campbell expressing the Government of the Northwest Territories' concern about the absence of advanced consultation on recent cruise missile testing missions and notification of the decision to renew the agreement. Mr. Speaker, we were not consulted. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is sad to see that people of the Northwest Territories are powerless to influence what happens in the skies over their own homeland. The Premier knows that the people of the Northwest Territories, many times in the past, have passed motions in previous Assemblies and that we do not favour testing of these destructive missiles. Can she explain why her government did not take a more forceful position in making these views known, before this agreement was renewed? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I feel that the previous Minister did take a forceful position by preparing a position paper to be presented to identify the areas of concern which have been put forward and the need to look at the north in a circumpolar concept, and deciding on future policy and strategic military decisions. Mr. Speaker, we certainly did anticipate or expect to be consulted, be knowledgeable and be told about any reinstatement. Even though we did receive an October, 1991, response to our draft paper, we did feel that there would be some honour and respect paid to the concerns of Northwest Territories' residents and that we would continue to try to agree on a set of guidelines which would satisfy the residents. Mr. Speaker, in the relationship with the Department of National Defence, as the honourable Member knows, this particular segment of the Government of Canada tends to have a very insulated activity mandate where they do not really like interference on the mandate of what they call "peace and security." Mr. Speaker, I had hoped that we would have a detailed response in reply to the response from the Department of National Defence on our issue paper for November, 1993. I hope the honourable Member knows that, as Government Leader, I am fully aware of the issues which this House has raised and the position which people feel in regard to having no involvement and no input into terms of particular cruise missile testing and military activity. However, Mr. Speaker, we will continue to try to press for recognition, and we will do this in any way we can. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At Expo in Vancouver and in Seville, the people of the Northwest Territories have tried to show the rest of the world how we live in a peaceful homeland with traditional values. Also, we are trying to build economic links with countries where previous traditional relations have been poor, such as Russia and former communist countries of eastern Europe. I am concerned that the decision to renew this agreement will show other countries that we are the home of the cruise missile. This is not an image I think the Premier should be proud to present. It is not a very good image. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister agree to meet immediately with the Honourable Kim Campbell, federal Minister of National Defence, to express our displeasure with this agreement? Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I have sent a letter to the Honourable Kim Campbell requesting a meeting to

review the substantive issues related to military activity in the Northwest Territories. This letter has been written. We have had an acknowledgement, but no date set. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome in the gallery, Bertha Allen, the president of the Native Women's Association of the Northwest Territories.

---Applause

Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health. Honourable Members will recall that in June of 1992, the abortion service review committee submitted its report to the acting Minister of Health, the Honourable Nellie Cournoyea. This report was subsequently tabled in this House. The Minister will recall that the review committee made a number of recommendations that responded to various problems raised at that time. I understand that, with respect to medical care and the complaint procedure, the recommendations have been addressed. However, I am interested in the recommendations that suggest improvements in the information counselling and education services available to women. Can the Minister advise the House whether policies and programs that address each issue are now in place?

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will provide the information and the policy to the Member. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions.

(Microphone turned off)

That was not taken as notice. I have said many times, I have to take it as notice verbally. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

The review committee found that patients who are given an accurate description of the intended treatment will experience less anxiety and, as a result, less pain. Can the Minister indicate whether she has requested management of the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital to periodically review case files to ensure that patients are provided with this information?

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take his question as notice and provide the Member with more information at a later date. Thank you.