Good afternoon.

Speaker's Ruling

Before proceeding to Ministers' statements, I would like to take this opportunity to deliver my ruling on the points of order raised by Mr. Gargan and Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Both points of order centred around responses that were given by the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi in his capacity as Minister of Justice. Mrs. Marie-Jewell asked, "I would like to ask the Minister if he would review his corrections division to give assurance to the public, in this particular case, that justice is seen to be done by the people of the Northwest Territories." Mr. Kakfwi responded on page 2543 of unedited Hansard for March 15, 1993 that "My view is that there are two Members of this Legislature who have taken a particular interest in this inmate. I understand that there is a perception on their part that there is not enough punishment for the offence which was committed. I do not see it as a great public concern judging from the lack of interest in other quarters." Mr. Kakfwi subsequently stated on page 2544 in reply to a supplementary question by Mrs. Marie-Jewell that, "There seems to be a fundamental difference of opinion, since I do not see anyone calling for a public inquiry asking for this gross injustice to be dealt with. I do not see anyone asking for some specific focus to be dealt with. I do not agree with the Member that she is the sole spokesperson for what the public thinks should be done in any case." Mr. Gargan took exception to these remarks as imputing hidden motives to his prior questioning on this issue. Similarly, Mrs. Marie-Jewell took exception to these remarks on the basis that the Minister appeared to implicitly suggest that she was not representing the concerns of her constituents.

I have reviewed the rules of this Legislature, our customs and precedents, and Beauchesne's Parliamentary Rules and Forms, 6th edition, in considering this issue. As both points of order were raised on the same issue, I will deal with both points of order in my ruling today.

I can find no expressed authority which would substantiate that either Member has raised a valid point of order. The Minister of Justice did not explicitly state that either Member had improper motives when questioning the Minister on this matter. Therefore, I rule that neither Mr. Gargan nor Mrs. Marie-Jewell have a point of order.

However, in reviewing unedited Hansard, I noted that the Minister, in responding to the Member's questions, made a series of statements that could be construed to be his personal value judgments. The status and authority of the position of Minister carries with it an extra burden of responsibility. A Minister's response to questions should be factual and be confined to stating matters of government policy. It is understood that when Ministers are answering questions, the opinions that they state are those of the government and not their personal opinions. Statements made by a Minister, that could be taken as personal opinions, may be viewed as provocative and may escalate the acrimony of a debate.

Finally, all Members of this House are representatives of their constituents. As representatives, we must assume in this House that they speak for, and on behalf of, their constituents at all times. Questions, whether asked by one or by many Members, should be responded to with equal respect. I urge all Members to be respectful of the legitimate views expressed by other Members in this House. Thank you.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Later this afternoon I will table the annual report for 1992 on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act as required by section 62 of the act.

I hope the 1992 annual report will give the public confidence that the transportation of dangerous goods in the Northwest Territories is well regulated. The report lists the types and volumes of dangerous goods that move regularly and without incident on the highway systems. It describes the ongoing activities of the department's highway transport officers to enforce the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and the cooperative response they have received from industry to comply.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about the social assistance food allowances. Mr. Speaker, many citizens of the Northwest Territories, many honourable Members of this House, and now recently the Status of Women's Council of the Northwest Territories have voiced their concerns about the current inadequate levels of social assistance food allowances.

As of October, 1992, the social assistance allowances for a basket of food for a family of four people for one month is equivalent to about 60 per cent of the actual cost. This means that a family, theoretically, can only eat for part of a month or do without certain meals or snacks each day. Mr. Speaker, this is unacceptable.

The current Minister of Social Services has stated that there will be no increases in the food allowances in the fiscal year. How does she expect people, especially ones with no other alternatives, to maintain a livelihood at the current food rates? The Status of Women Council states in a recent issues letter, one which I will be tabling later today, "The present system not only condemns recipients to a life-style well below the poverty line, it effectively kills any incentive people may have to help themselves." Mr. Speaker, our people are crying for help and it is up to this government to seriously consider their pleas. Mahsi.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the past few weeks I have raised with the Minister of Justice the issue of what is perceived as preferential treatment given to an inmate of the territorial corrections centre in Fort Smith. I have had to resort to asking questions over and over again to the Minister, because of the inadequacy of the responses which I have received.

Mr. Speaker, my constituents have voiced their concerns loudly to me. They see an inmate who was very recently convicted, as of a result of a highly public fraud case, being granted the privilege of attending a management studies program at Arctic College. Make no mistake about it, Mr. Speaker, attendance at a post-secondary institution is a privilege for many of my constituents.

My questions to the Minister of Justice on this issue are not intended to suggest that a particular inmate should be given harsh treatment or treated differently from other inmates.

Rather, my questions are directed to discover the criteria and policies currently in place regarding any inmate who wishes to pursue post-secondary education, to enter into the work release program, or to leave a correctional centre for any reason. I recognize that each case must be dealt with its own merits, however there must be some criteria, some guidelines, to guide the civil servants in the corrections division who make decisions in this area. Their decisions can not be made in a vacuum.

Mr. Speaker, until I receive a satisfactory answer from the Minister, I will continue to pursue the issue regarding policies and criteria within the corrections division. I recognize the Minister has forwarded some information today, and I will be reviewing this information before I proceed with further questioning. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. I would like to commend you on your traditional Irish vest. Mr. Lewis, Members' statements.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Members in this Assembly, we are expected to deal with issues which are of interest to all people of the Northwest Territories. Members' statements give us the opportunity to address specific constituency issues.

Mr. Speaker, a family law review was done in 1988, since it was clear that the Northwest Territories was lagging far behind other jurisdictions in creating modern up-to-date legislation. I know the Special Committee on Health and Social Services feels we cannot wait much longer for changes to legislation and will make recommendations for change.

My major concern, however, over the past five years, Mr. Speaker, has been on property rights for women. There seems to be no guidelines for judges in determining the division of property following divorce. One of my constituents, Mrs. Marie Ruman, who is now dead, came to see me regularly and was persuasive in her arguments that in the area of property rights, Northwest Territories women did not enjoy the same equality as women in other parts of Canada. Other women in recent months have urged me to pursue this issue with government in this Assembly. It is a major issue for women, which is sometimes overshadowed by the more dramatic abuses of women that appear in our newspapers every day. I shall introduce a motion in this Assembly next week urging the government to complete its family law review, and to propose legislation which is up-to-date and reflects modern reality. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize in the gallery, Mr. Jack Anawak, Member of Parliament for the Nunatsiaq riding.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to rise in this Assembly today to speak about the first grade 12 graduating class from Thomas Simpson School in Fort Simpson.

---Applause

This graduation in Fort Simpson is possible because of the grade extension initiative undertaken by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Programs. Mr. Speaker, this is an historic event. The students should be congratulated for their success. These graduates are setting the example in leading the way for young students from the region.

On June 5 and 6 of this year the grade 12 graduating class will be holding its graduation ceremonies. The students, parents and other interested parties have been working very hard, since November of 1992, to raise their own money to hold this exciting event. Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to say that the graduating committee has invited the Minister responsible and myself to participate in the celebration of this special event. As a Member of this Legislative Assembly, I would like to convey best wishes for the future success to these proud students and their parents. Mahsi Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a question, asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on March 12, related to policy for lottery licences.

Lottery licences are not issued to native bands or Metis locals. Lottery licences may be issued to recreation or cultural committees set up by these organizations. When initial applications for licences are received from such recreational or cultural committees, information on the membership of the committee is provided by the applicant and must not be restricted to a particular group of people.

The Elks and Legion service clubs are open for membership to the general public.

To be considered charitable under the NWT Lotteries Act, organizations must be run substantially by volunteer efforts for the benefit of others and not for self-help purposes or personal benefit for members. Such organizations must provide a benefit to a significant portion of the community and must be open for membership to all members of the general public.

The application from the Fort Smith Warriors hockey team for a licence to raise funds to host an all-native hockey tournament was denied on the same grounds as an application from the Fire Fighters curling association to host a national fire fighters curling bonspiel. In both cases, membership of these groups were restricted and the use of the proceeds of the lottery events was considered to be of a self-help nature.

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question 465-12(3), asked by Mr. Charles Dent on March 11, 1993, regarding family violence prevention workshops.

The Department of Social Services has been offering training sessions to community workers in the areas of family violence and child sexual abuse. Most of the training initiatives are directed at shelter workers, community social workers, RCMP, mental health specialists and other agencies working in the area of domestic violence. The training session in Rankin Inlet is an example of the department's commitment for training initiatives for community workers in the areas of child sexual abuse and/or family violence.

A counselling level I course will be held in Yellowknife on March 16 to 25, 1993. Nine participants from various communities in the Northwest Territories will attend this session which is part of an ongoing four year training initiative for shelter workers. In the fiscal year 1993-94, eight to ten training sessions will be held in various regions for shelter workers. These sessions are specifically designed for community family violence workers and include sessions on healing, counselling techniques and an overview of family violence.

On March 21 to 26, 1993, there will be a conference on family violence and child sexual abuse entitled "Strengthening Our Communities." This conference will be held in Fort Simpson and will provide community workers with an understanding of child sexual abuse from an aboriginal perspective. These workshops are ongoing and held in most communities throughout the Northwest Territories. A conference will be held in Hay River on April 3 to 6, 1993, entitled "The Spirit of Northern Healing." Family violence and child sexual abuse will be addressed at this conference. The Department of Social Services is contributing to this conference which is a cooperative effort between many departments and agencies. An inter-agency workshop for the Baffin region is being planned for some time in the coming year.

As you can see, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Social Services is committed to providing community workers with the necessary skills and training to address family violence and child sexual abuse at the community level. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have more returns to make, if I may.

Continue, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question 500-12(3), asked by Mr. Koe on March 16, 1993, regarding status of a new health facility for the Inuvik region.

Mr. Speaker, representatives of the Inuvik regional health board and the Department of Health met on February 25, 1993, to commence development of a health plan for the Inuvik region.

The Inuvik regional health board will take the lead role for the development of the plan in collaboration with the Shihta regional and Beaufort/Delta community leaders. The Department of Health will provide the support needed for the planning process, which is to be completed in April, 1994. Specific planning for the replacement of the Inuvik regional hospital will begin after the regional health plan is completed.

I have a return to Question 504-12(3), asked by Mr. Koe on March 16, 1993, regarding status of meeting re X-ray machine at Inuvik regional hospital.

Mr. Speaker, on February 25, 1993, members of the Inuvik regional health board and the Departments of Health and Government Services and Public Works met to develop a plan of action for the replacement of the X-ray machine at the Inuvik regional hospital. It is proposed that the replacement unit be installed and be operating by October, 1993. In the meantime, all X-ray units at the Inuvik regional hospital are fully operational and are being used in accordance with the prescribed procedures. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have return to oral Question 244-12(3), asked by Mr. Gargan on February 17, 1993, with respect to tender for fire suppression.

The contract with Evergreen Forestry Management Ltd. has been in existence since 1988 and will expire on September 3, 1993.

I am pleased with the level of service provided by the company and am aware of the value of this contract to the native people of Fort Providence and Hay River. There is an excellent working relationship with the company. It is my intention to enter into a long-term sole source contract with Evergreen Forestry Management Ltd. after the 1993 fire season. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, I heard rumours about a pending transfer of a division from one department moving to another. I have heard that the parks division will be transferred from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism to the Department of Renewable Resources. The transfer is to be done by July 1, 1993. Can the Premier verify whether or not the parks division will be transferred from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and moved to the Department of Renewable Resources?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the statement is true and we are working to put parks into the Department of Renewable Resources. However, Mr. Speaker, I want to say that this is not a new issue. This discussion of where parks could best fit has been taking place for a number of years. So, this is not a new issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If it is not new, I wonder why we were not informed. We have just recently approved the budgets for Economic Development and Tourism and Renewable Resources, and none of this information was disclosed. I am wondering what budgetary arrangements are going to be made to implement this transfer.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, in the reorganizing of departments, it is not the intention that it would cost the government any additional money. The due process will be used to move responsibility from one department to the other, but we are not talking about new funding requirements. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier says that this has been a long time in the planning, but a decision such as this that has not been disclosed in the current budget, seems to me to be made hastily and secretively. What consultation has taken place leading up to making this decision to transfer this division?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, just to make a correction, I said this is not a new topic of discussion. For a number of years, there has always been a question of where the best place for various responsibilities would be within the Government of the Northwest Territories. It is not a new topic. This has been discussed over a number of years, but in terms of the decision to move the responsibility, this is an ongoing issue. The total plan has not been concluded yet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Final supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure if there are other divisions which are going to be moved or transferred similar to this, but on this particular division, when did the government intend to notify Members of the Assembly of this transfer?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, this is an internal issue. Once we had concluded the plans, we did intend to move it through the planning group, but we have not concluded any of the plans yet, so it is premature to have anything on the table because the work has not been done at this point in time. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Social Services. In 1992, I raised a concern regarding problems in the north with substance abuse. Can a law be put forward for condemnation of substance abuse? We have lost quite a few lives to substance abuse. It was only last fall we lost a person in our community to this problem. I would like this to be considered in the future, whether there could be an act passed to deal with this problem. Has anything been done, to date, with regard to making laws pertaining to substance abuse problems? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To date, no laws have been passed with regard to this problem. However, I will work with my officials. There is a conference this weekend which will talk about problems in the communities. They will be making recommendations as to how these problems should be dealt with at the community level. After I receive some responses from the conference, I will be better able to answer your question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. After you have worked with the people from the conference, especially for Baffin South, perhaps you could make an official response. They expect me to give them a response on this. I would like you to make sure I receive a response once you have heard from the people attending the conference. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Substance abuse is a big problem. If acts were to be passed regarding this, we would need to do a great deal of planning and much work before hand. My department and I will work closely at the community level, and I will provide the Member for Baffin South with a better response. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, I am always pleased to see the government recognize the years of service that many of our employees give to the government. I am certainly supportive of the system we have of recognizing these individuals through certificates, pins and award dinners. In recognizing these achievements, does the Cabinet have Ministers attend the long service award dinners?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, as a matter of informal policy, we do encourage Ministers to attend the long service award dinners. I know it is important. As well, we try to inform the Members of the Legislative Assembly, through the regional directors, when these occasions are staged for the recognition of employees. We try to attend these occasions. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is it normal practice to send the public affairs officer from the Premiers' press secretary's office to attend these dinners?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, not to my knowledge.

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

In reviewing the Mackenzie Times of March 10, I understand the Minister of Renewable Resources attended the long service awards dinner in Fort Simpson. I always thought it was the practice of the Minister of Personnel to attempt to attend these dinners. However, sometimes I know that one Minister covers for another. Could the Minister indicate if a charter was used to take the Minister and his party to the Fort Simpson long service awards dinner.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I will take the question as notice.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister responsible for Culture and Communications. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to ask a question while we have the honourable MP in attendance in the public gallery. Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot region is the only region in the eastern Arctic that does not have CBC Radio station. Would the honourable Minister undertake to look into the possibility of establishing CBC regional radio operations in the Kitikmeot region? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, yes.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. On February 23, I expressed my concerns about the number of annual meetings proposed by the Housing Corporation and, the input of members of the community into the Housing Corporation's programs and policies. Mr. Speaker, it is the people in the community who will be affected by the Housing Corporation's programs and they must have an effect on these policies made. They do not attend meetings just to blow steam or socialize, they want to have some kind of say and some kind of impact. So, I asked the Minister, on that date, how concerns from the community and district meetings would be conveyed to the Housing Corporation's senior management to impact on policy development. The Minister took the question as notice.

Now, after having received approval for his new plans and his new working committee, can the Minister tell me how he expects those community concerns will be conveyed to the senior management so that they can affect policy development?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The communities should have a yearly meeting to talk about policies and programs. Then, from that yearly meeting, make recommendations at the regional meeting that is going to be held yearly. They would send representation to the regional meeting and those recommendations would be forwarded to the advisory committee on housing. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I would like to thank the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs with regard to the question I asked recently about grade extensions. I would like to ask another question. In Lake Harbour, they want grade extensions also. I talked with an individual yesterday, and I have to get this request done before the beginning of the new school year. I have not received a response from the Minister as of yet. Will the Minister be approving the grade extension requested by the community of Lake Harbour? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, the matter of grade extensions requires the support and approval of the Baffin regional education board. My suggestion to the honourable Member, and if I can be of assistance to him, will be to work with the board so we can properly organize the school year so all the requirements to accommodate his grade extensions will be met, but it requires the Member to work with and through the Baffin divisional education board. Once that approval is received, normally I will accept the recommendation that is made.

Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the chairman of the Baffin regional education board was here, I spoke to him and he asked me to ask the question to the Minister. I have talked with the chairman of the Baffin divisional board of education, and there is some information that he was not clear on, so that is why I am asking the Minister of Education. Perhaps the Minister could look into this and get back to me. Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, yes, I will look into the matter. In fact, I will speak to the chairman of the Baffin divisional board of education.

Item 5, oral question. Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Currently, my department is working with Sport North to see if we can take part in these games. Mr. Speaker, as you know, the government has devolved some of its responsibilities over to Sport North with regard to sporting events such as Arctic winter games, Canada games and summer games. I will keep the House informed. If the House is not sitting, I will write to all Members of this House to inform them of the participation of Northwest Territories athletes in these games. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, these events which are taking place in Canada and Northwest Territories are normally administered by Sport North. I will get back to the Member tomorrow to see if NWT athletes will be involved in these games. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Allooloo.

Mr. Speaker, I did not hear a question. I heard a statement and advice. Mr. Speaker, I will take the Member's advice very seriously and get back to the Member tomorrow.

Thank you, Mr. Allooloo. The question was lost in the long preamble. Item 5, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Justice, following up from my colleague from Yellowknife Centre. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, December 9, 1991, I requested in this House the status of the family law review. That was taken as notice. On Tuesday, February 25, 1992, I again requested the status of the family law review. I was told it would be dealt with by the end of the fiscal year, and that I would be receiving information on it. Again, it was taken as notice. Wednesday, March 4, 1992, I again asked for the status of the family law review. Again, I was told that it was taken as notice and it would be towards the end of the year. On Friday, March 27, I asked for the status of the report for 1992, how it was coming along because it was getting near to the end of the fiscal year, and again this question was taken as notice. On Thursday, April 2, 1992, it was indicated that the family law review was in its final stages before the report was submitted and there was no further information granted. On Thursday, September 17, 1992 the status of the family law review was requested again, and the question was taken as notice, we did not get any further ahead. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, September 17, 1992, with the regard to the family law review, my colleague, Mr. Arngna'naaq, asked the Minister of Justice a question regarding the family law review. The Minister of Justice indicated the report would be tabled. I would like to ask the Minister, does he have the family law review report ready to be tabled in this House? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, since I have asked six times in this House and six times the question has been taken as notice, and because I have finally been told the report is coming, when does the Minister intend to table the family review report? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister make a commitment to this House to table the family law review before the end of this session? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5, oral questions. Item 6, written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Mr. Speaker, this is a return to Written Question 27-12(3), asked by Mr. Zoe to the Minister of Government Services and Public Works, regarding the contracts awarded to Robinson Enterprises Ltd., RTL.

Following is a record of contracts awarded to Robinson Enterprises Limited, RTL, from fiscal years 1983-84 to 1992-93 inclusive, by the Department of Government Services and Public Works and its predecessors.

1983-94

Rental and operation of backhoe, Dettah access road, $1,750; materials testing facility, Yellowknife, $30,570; granular base application, Ingraham Trail, $234,349; equipment rental, various, $1,200; grading/granular base and asphalt, Rae access road, $596,949; campground upgrading, Prelude Lake, $17,965; bailey bridge, kilometres 55 to highway 4, Cameron River, $12,244; crushing, kilometres 0 to 84, highway 1, $1,428,000; concession building pad, Long Lake, $15,900; Dettah access road, Dettah, $673,185; equipment rental, various, $4,000; sewer/water line repair, various headquarters, $20,000.

1984/85

Asphalt surface treatment kilometre 2 to 19, Ingraham Trail, $1,073,098; highway 3 grade repairs, Rae access road, $167,640; construction of turnaround, Edzo, $2,370; sample quarrying and hauling, highway 1, $27,360; " as and when" equipment rental, Yellowknife, $6,000; equipment rental, Hay River, $4,600; heavy excavation equipment rental, Edzo, $2,240; crusher plant operation, Yellowknife, $10,500; park site preparation, Yellowknife, $15,900.

1985/86

Supply and install 52 traffic signs, Rae-Edzo, $8,944; fencing and miscellaneous work, Fort Rae, $65,483; load/haul/spread sandy material, Dettah access road, $29,025; backhoe rental, Dettah access road, $1,000; assist ice trapped ferry, Fort Providence, $10,344; aggregate crushing, highway 3, $224,000; gravel resurfacing, highway 3, $97,480; reconstruction kilometre 19 to 28.4, Ingraham Trail, $970,162; trailer dump station, Prelude Lake, $28,865.

1986/87

Gravel resurfacing, highway 4, $62,063; security fence, north ferry loading, Fort Providence, $23,840; repairs, Ingraham Trail, $2,000; scarification and resurfacing roads, Dettah, $31,805; rock quarrying and crushing, Ingraham Trail, $482,080; granular investigation, Fort Rae, $4,640; water supply, Snowdrift, $407,158; highway 3 repairs and access road, Rae, $407,150; drilling test holes in parking lot, Prelude Lake, $1,250; sheet pile walls restoration, Dory Point, $132,104; aggregate crushing, highway 5, $93,750; supply and erect office complex, Hay River, $60,600; removal of water tap houses, Rae, $22,375; sewer main excavation/materials, Rae-Edzo, $10,000; highway maintenance, three years, Liard Highway, $1,674,020; resurfacing, highway 3, $78,370.

1986/87 - Robinson's Trucking/Stan Dean & Sons Ltd. (A Joint Venture)

Paving, highway 2, $2,649,060.

1987/88

Resurfacing, Yellowknife, $4,875; landscaping PWNHC, Yellowknife, $16,754; dust control program, Dettah, $23,556; north ferry landing repairs, Fort Providence, $32,000; road construction, Rae-Edzo, $8,500; bank stabilization, Rae-Edzo, $7,675; test hole excavation, Rae-Edzo, $2,810; dozer rental, highway 1, various Fort Smith, $4,850; crush/stockpile/bedrock, various Fort Smith, $1,081,250; crushing highways 1 and 7, various Fort Smith, $1,025,000; crushing highway 5, various, Fort Smith, $109,850; equipment rental, various, Fort Smith, $10,000; crushed granular product, various, Kitikmeot, $409,956; crushing, highway 3, Yellowknife, $737,500.

1988/89

Phase II land development, Fort Rae, $141,750; repairs highway 3, kilometre 241.6, Edzo, $11,140.

1989/90

Rainbow Valley lot 500 access road, Yellowknife, $54,390; water treatment plant, Fort McPherson, $445,936.

1990/91

Sewage treatment/road related works, Dettah, $189,578; water/sewer system improvements, Fort McPherson, $1,000,196; drill, blast and stockpile granular material, Coppermine, $528,150.

1991/92

Land development, Dettah, $121,387; access road, Legislative Assembly, Yellowknife, $230,610; water and sewage improvements, Fort McPherson, $790,409.

1992/93

Land development, area I and II, Rae, $94,915; fuel haul, Lac La Martre/Rae Lakes/Jean Marie River/Trout Lake, $72,457.

Following is a record of contracts awarded to Robinson Enterprises Limited, RTL from fiscal years 1989/90 to 1992/93 inclusive, by the Department of Transportation.

1989/90

Crush/haul/stockpile granular material, highway 3, $2,347,340; grade all rental, Ingraham Trail, $10,000; bridge signing, Ingraham Trail, $5,995; drill, blast and crush, highway 1, $1,512,080; rental hydraulic excavator, Dory Point ferry crossing, $17,368.

1990/91

Access area construction, Fred Henne Park, $184,060; gravel resurfacing, highway 3, $262,504; gravel resurfacing, highway 5, $135,556; culvert replacement, highway 3, $109,263; winter road construction/maintenance, Rae Lakes-Lac La Martre, $243,600; crush/haul/stockpile granular material, highway 7, $296,900.

1991/92

Reconstruction, Mackenzie Highway, $3,335,573; crushed gravel production, Dempster Highway 8, $563,460; resurfacing, highway 3, $213,168; aggregate crushing, highway 5, $64,640; gravel resurfacing, highway 1 and 7, $28,163; resurfacing, highway 3, $34,565; rental of gravel resurfacing equipment, highway 4, $58,954; highway surface improvement, highways 1, 3, 4 and 5, $961,200; widening and upgrading, highway 3, $910,121; supply gravel, highway 4, 23,000; equipment rental for culvert replacement, highway 4, $66,000; excavate/load/haul/stockpile material, highway 1 and 3, $1,124,000; equipment rental, highway 3, $9,600; supply and stockpile crushed aggregate, Yellowknife, $22,500, winter road construction/maintenance, Rae Lakes-Lac La Martre, $288,350, haul 2 tandem trucks, Edmonton to Hay River, $2,350.

1992/93

Haul and spread water for road maintenance, Yellowknife area, $86,400; supply/delivery crushed aggregate, Yellowknife, $34,375; airport and access road construction, Lac La Martre, $1,874,514; highway reconstruction, Mackenzie Highway, $2,676,966; asphalt concrete paving, highway 3, $465,043; crushing/granular materials, Paulatuk, $567,640; stabilization and asphaltic treatment, Mackenzie Highway 1, $1,545,602; lease of incinerator, Dory point camp, $1,000; haulout/improvements/earthworks, Liard ferry crossing, $154,100; supply and operation of backhoe, Yellowknife access road, $3,000; installation of meteorology station, Lac La Martre, $7,000; equipment rental, Yellowknife, $3,300; hauling/stockpiling granular material, highway 3, $483,625; supply/apply 1800 tonnes DL10, highways 1 and 3, $525,240; gravel/resurfacing, highways 3 and 4, $132,107; crush/stockpile granular material, highway 3, $32,400; crush/stockpile aggregate, highway 3, $242,900; haul gravel, White Beach to Yellowknife, $1,716; backhoe rental for culvert installation, Yellowknife, $5,500; drilling/blasting limestone bedrock, highway 3, $103,900.

Return to Written Question 28-12(3), asked by Mr. Zoe to the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, concerning NWTPC contracts with RTL, Robinson Enterprises Ltd.

Since transfer from the federal government on May 5, 1988, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation has entered one contract with RTL, Robinson Enterprises Ltd.

Dated February 15, 1989, this contract was the opening and maintenance of a winter road, and the ripping, loading, hauling and stockpiling of 10,000 cubic yards of gravel from the Strutt Lake Gravel pit.

Payments against this contract totalled $203,750.

Thank you. Before I go to the next agenda item, I have received the following message from the Honourable Daniel Norris, Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, "Dear Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of Bill 24, Write-off Of Debts Act, 1993, during the Third Session of the 12th Legislative Assembly."

Item 8, Replies to Opening Address. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been told by one Member in this Assembly that when one replies to the Commissioner's address you should simply deal with local issues, issues people tell you about on the street or on the telephone. When you get involved in all the issues this Assembly is concerned with that really should be...

Excuse me, Mr. Lewis. I have been informed that the honourable Member gave a reply on December 7, this is a continuation of the same session. The Member has

already taken advantage of his one opportunity.

---Applause

Good try, Mr. Lewis. Item 8, replies to opening address. Item 9, petitions. Item 10, reports of standing and special committees. Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table Tabled Document 97-12(3), a report to the Legislative Assembly - Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (1990).

---Applause

Item 12, tabling of documents. Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 12, tabling of documents. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have two documents I wish to table. I wish to table Tabled Document 99-12(3), a copy of a letter addressed to the Honourable Rebecca Mike, Minister of Health and Social Services from the Status of Women Council of the NWT. Mr. Speaker, this letter addresses the Status of Women Council's concerns regarding Minister Mike's position on not increasing social assistance food allowances.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table Tabled Document 100-12(3), the resolutions made at the Beaufort/Delta leaders conference which was held in Inuvik on February 8 and 9, 1993.

Item 12, tabling of documents. Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table Tabled Document 101-12(3), proposed bill, Payroll Tax Act, 1993.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table Tabled Document 102-12(3), proposed bill, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, No. 2. Thank you.

Item 12, tabling of documents. Item 13, notices of motion. Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 15, motions. Motion 24-12(3), Tabled Document 91-12(3) and Tabled Document 92-12(3) to Committee of the Whole, Mr. Lewis.

My seconder to the motion is not in the House, Mr. Speaker.