Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statement. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to announce the new active living program which my department is promoting across the Northwest Territories this year.

The NWT active living challenge is part of a national movement to encourage Canadians to adopt a healthy, balanced life-style by being physically active every day. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is taking up the challenge to promote active living in the north.

A calendar of events and an activity guide have been developed. The calendar lists various active living events being hosted across the Northwest Territories. The activity guides provide over 100 ideas for groups who may wish to host an event.

During 1993, individuals, families, work places, schools, voluntary organizations and communities are encouraged to host active living events every month of the year. Groups that host events, and register their participation in the challenge, are eligible to receive an active living flag and a plaque. These are presented monthly to one of the registered participants by an NWT inter-agency committee with representatives from many government departments and organizations with responsibility for the well-being of northerners.

Mr. Speaker, the communities that promote active living events for their residents are contributing to the well-being of our northern society by improving the quality of life. Recent studies have also shown that even moderate amounts of enjoyable daily physical activity can improve a person's physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being. I encourage you to promote participation in our NWT active living challenge in your constituencies.

I would like to sincerely thank the inter-agency committee members for their help. They consist of representatives from the Departments of Health, Education, Social Services and Personnel, the NWT Recreation and Parks Association, Ecology North, Storefront for Voluntary Agencies, Sport North, the YWCA, the NWT Council for Disabled Persons, and the city of Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ms. Mike.

Mr. Speaker, I want to make a few remarks on the matter of social assistance food allowances.

The government knows the importance of an adequate level of support for people who are not able to provide for themselves and their families. It recognizes that this is a serious matter.

As you know, food allowances have already been increased this fiscal year. The increase came into effect in October. My recent remarks on this matter referred to the 1992-93 fiscal year and were based on the fact that we had already increased them by five per cent.

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. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I made a few notes yesterday morning because I thought I would be given the opportunity to reply to the Commissioner's address. I will use my Member's statement to make one comment about the Bourque commission. On Tuesday, Mr. Speaker, we heard from the Bourque commission. Its report is a model of conciseness and of clarity. No one should underestimate the incredible difficulties that have to be overcome if there is to be a constitution for all the peoples of the new western territory. However, we should heed the words of those who say we must stick with it, keep working on it and not give up easily, even if it looks like a hopeless task at the outset.

I am encouraged with the recommendations that we should have our own legislation covering human rights. We are the only jurisdiction in Canada without human rights legislation. This would be a good place for our own government to begin responding to the report as there seems to be widespread support for it in the public. It has been said that aboriginal people would find it difficult to accept human rights legislation. I believe we should accept the challenge of developing human rights legislation because this would be one way in which we could find out if there was enough basis, among all of the people of the Northwest Territories, to provide a common ground before we proceed toward any further major constitutional development.

Now that a newly formed structure has been devised for constitutional development, it is imperative that the work of the steering committee and the working group not be confused with the operations of the Government of the Northwest Territories especially in such areas as decentralization and community transfers. It must be clear that the work ahead has nothing to do with the operation of the present Government of the Northwest Territories. It has to do with building a new set of rules which we can all live by. We do not know exactly what it will look like and it will be some time, Mr. Speaker, before we see its face, but I am optimistic that we will make progress and eventually succeed. Thank you.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There has been some discussion in the Keewatin region over the past ten years regarding the building of a regional health centre. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the time allotted to me this afternoon to speak on this matter. During my last visit, there was a great deal of concern raised on this matter in the communities which I represent. At that time, a consultant was hired by the Keewatin regional health board to consult with the communities in the region.

I speak to this, Mr. Speaker, because the communities which I represent were very concerned that this would turn into the same thing that happened with the Keewatin regional high school. As the honourable Member for Iqaluit, who is not present, knows well, the decision on the regional high school was a dramatic experience and I believe the regional health centre will be just as dramatic. At this point, Mr. Speaker, the Keewatin regional health board is going through the consultation process which should be a normal process for any government. However, I do not believe that it has come to the Yellowknife level yet, to the people who will be making all the final decisions on capital projects.

At the present time a member of the Arviat health committee has not been chosen, as far as I know. In fact, there has not been an active representative on a regular basis since December of 1991. The community of Arviat is very concerned about this. Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister responsible for Health at the appropriate time in this regard.

There are many words which will be said with regard to the regional health centre from the Keewatin regional health board. However, I warn the Minister at this time that there will be many repercussions, as far as the government is concerned, from as menial as the direction of the entrance of the facility to the location of the health facility itself. I will guarantee that right now. I represent two communities which put together have the highest population of either of the other ridings in the Keewatin and they will come together, not necessarily to make a majority, but will create many headaches...

Mr. Arngna'naaq, your allotted time has lapsed.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue with my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I represent two communities which put together have the highest population of either of the other ridings in the Keewatin and they will come together, not necessarily to make a majority, but will create many headaches for the Minister and the department when it comes to the location of certain facilities.

To this point in time, the steering committee of the proposed health facility in the Keewatin region is composed of three people from Rankin Inlet except for one member, and that is one person out of five members. I have to ask at this point, Mr. Speaker, where is the justice in this when only one person is from outside of the community where the location of the facility is presently being planned. Only a few people will be satisfied with the results. The costs, numbers and the time are justified. However, I feel the location is not justified. The numbers, as far as Nunavut is concerned, are not clear and with this I have to speak out. The location has not been ratified, as Nunavut has not been created. I believe the people of the eastern Kitikmeot will reconsider their decision on Yellowknife being their destination once they begin to realize that the health facility in the Keewatin is closer to their communities and the people of the Keewatin have their best interests at heart.

Mr. Speaker, this is an attempt to make the Minister of Health and the department aware of what to expect when the issue on the Keewatin regional health facility is brought to them. I will make further comments at a later time and will ask questions as to the progress of the Keewatin regional health facility. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is going to be a family violence sexual abuse conference in Fort Simpson next week. It will be held on March 23, 24 and 25. In February, 1991, it was identified by the Department of Social Services and the Fort Simpson Dene band that our communities were being severely impacted by the issue of child sexual abuse. In order to address this, a needs survey was designed and completed in June, 1991. One of the major recommendations from the survey was with regard to education and awareness of child sexual abuse. The needs survey identified that both professionals and community members needed increased education and awareness on this topic. Since a child sexual abuse specialist was hired in our region in December, 1991, there has been a dramatic increase in disclosures.

Increased training for professionals and support for victims and their families has been another area of concern. In January, 1993, the Secretary of State provided funding for the regional aboriginal women's conference to look at the issue of family violence. The Native Women's Association and the Department of Social Services have also provided funding and expertise to deal with this family violence sexual abuse conference in order to follow recommendations from the needs survey.

Mr. Speaker, this is a very important conference which will occur in Fort Simpson. I thought it would be a good idea to inform the Members of this House that we are trying to deal with a social problem in the Fort Simpson region. Mahsi.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to express my strong support for a new direction which has recently been announced with respect to the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, last week when I was gone, a couple of my colleagues expressed some of their opinions regarding this. After reading Hansard, I thought I would like to express my opinion.

Mr. Speaker, I certainly was pleased to learn that the Minister is considering an arrangement which would see close affiliation between the college and the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories. It is my view that such an arrangement would benefit the institute and would also strengthen the college. The people of the Northwest Territories would, no doubt, be farther ahead as a result. Mr. Speaker, I say it would benefit the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories because I believe it could create science technology programs which are currently absent from the college system.

Recognizing the institute's role in technology development, particularly in the areas relating to tanneries and wildlife harvesting projects, shop facilities and access to college world class renewable resource training programs, would no doubt strengthen the capabilities as well. The college in turn would benefit from this. Post-secondary institutions across Canada have always been active in research and development. Pairing the facilities of the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories and the college would increase our ability to contribute to important research on issues which are relevant to our northern people. Mr. Speaker, the potential for sharing this type of technology in its expertise is no doubt significant. It would not only improve the ability of the college and the institute to meet their respective mandates, but it will save money that this government needs so badly.

I am enthusiastic about the direction which I believe the Minister is taking in this regard and I urge him to proceed in developing a formal implementation plan which can be reviewed by this House in the future. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Ms. Cournoyea.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question, asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on March 17, regarding the attendance of Ministers at long service awards dinners.

On February 27, 1993, the Minister of Renewable Resources attended the Government of the Northwest Territories long service awards dinner in Fort Simpson. Travel to Fort Simpson from Yellowknife was by the Minister's personal vehicle. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Zoe on February 23, 1993, regarding the framework for an advisory committee on social housing.

The honourable Member for North Slave requested a written chronology of events leading to the establishment of the advisory committee on social housing. Since the chronology is quite lengthy and since this House has already agreed to establish the advisory committee on social housing, I have provided the chronology to Mr. Zoe in writing. Copies have also been provided to all honourable Members. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Antoine on March 5, 1993, regarding competition for artists in the Northwest Territories.

Nunatta campus of Arctic College delivers a fine arts program in Iqaluit, and has recently organized a fine arts and crafts competition as an initiative to enhance the development of arts and crafts in Nunavut.

Through fund raising activities in Nunavut, Nunatta campus secured funds from the private sector to support the project and to sponsor the cash prizes. The competition categories included a broad range of arts and crafts from carving to drawing and printmaking, jewellery and silversmithing, photography and traditional crafts.

This is the first year that a fine arts and crafts competition has been organized by Arctic College. If this project is successful in Nunavut, the college may expand the competition to the western Arctic.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Zoe on March 17, 1993, concerning North American aboriginal summer games.

Mr. Speaker, I have some additional information to provide on this summer's North American indigenous games.

The second North American indigenous games will be held July 18 to 25, 1993, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The first games were held in Edmonton in July, 1990.

Several teams from the Northwest Territories did participate in these first games in 1990, including men's and ladies' fastball teams from Fort Smith. The department provided grants to these teams to assist their travel costs. There were no formal trials to select an overall official Northwest Territories team, as such.

Mr. Speaker, the department has only received, to date, a couple of inquiries about the 1993 aboriginal games and we are not aware of any definite plans being made by any teams to participate.

The department does not have a program or any plans to select and send an official team to represent the NWT at these games, as it does to the Arctic winter games or Canada games. The department is prepared, however, to consider support similar to that given to teams that participated in 1990.

Mr. Speaker, sport in the Northwest Territories is the envy of many jurisdictions. Our individual sport organizations, our Sport North Federation and the various competitions and major athletic games we support place heavy emphasis on providing participation opportunities for our aboriginal people. Perhaps that is why there is less need to establish or support separate competitions. However, we have supported and will continue to support these groups that have been organized to promote aboriginal games, such as the various regional Inuit and Dene games associations and the NWT Arctic sports association.

The department will speak to these regional Inuit and Dene games associations and to the NWT Arctic sports association to see if they have plans to support or organize participation in these 1993 indigenous games. We are certainly prepared to work with these groups and to also consider any direct requests, as we did in 1990.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that most of our regional Inuit and Dene games groups have made plans for their own traditional games celebrations, held each summer. Our Sport North Federation is also in the final stages of preparing for the NWT's preparation in August at the 1993 Canada summer games. however, within this schedule, the department is ready to assist where there is interest in participation in the 1993 indigenous games. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Item 4, returns to oral questions. I would like to recognize in the gallery, the Mayor of Iqaluit, Mr. Charlie Ruttan.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Justice. Mr. Speaker, there has been some concern expressed from my constituency with respect to the corrections division's intention to change the River Ridge facility, which is a maximum secure institution, into an open custody facility and, apparently, the secure facility in Hay River will be considered to become a maximum secure institution. Since these decisions have come about unexpectedly, I would like to ask the Minister whether the Minister can indicate the reasons for what I believe to be a costly and unnecessary program adjustment. Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the government's intention of trying to make sure they fully utilize a facility. The concern I have is the government is now intending to utilize a facility for the wrong program. I fully support the government's intention of trying to maximize the use of facilities, providing it is for the proper program delivery. The Minister has indicated that this particular facility will now be switched over from a maximum secure institution, to an open custody type of institution. Recognizing the bed space available, and keeping in mind, Mr. Speaker, that the trend for corrections fluctuates, I can say that correctional centres are probably over loaded in the winter, and under utilized towards the spring. That has always been the trend in my experience. I would like to ask the Minister whether any needs assessment studies, program reviews or strategic plans were done to examine whether this change was needed? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, it has always been my understanding that there are three categories of young offenders, according to the Corrections Act. Mr. Speaker, what I am concerned about is, I would like to ask the Minister in looking at the Justice budget again, there did not seem to be any particular funding identified for renovations. These renovations from changing a fairly maximum secure institution to an open custody would mean the idea of taking out all these locked doors and trying to take the control centre, making many changes to the facility. I would like to ask the Minister, does he know what renovations will be necessary to transform the River Ridge facility into an open custody setting, recognizing that I am sure he has been through that facility himself? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Final supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not know about the idea of keeping the morale up on the staff because I met with the staff over the weekend and I believe it is going to affect their morale. Mr. Speaker, it appears to me the Minister of Justice does not fully understand the types of security and the responsibilities of the Department of Justice under the Corrections Act with respect to young offenders. I do not believe the Minister fully comprehends the Young Offenders Act to recognize his full responsibilities. The Minister says there will be no renovations. I know you cannot keep an open custody in what is designated as a maximum secure institution, and that is exactly what River Ridge is. There are going to have to be renovations to the Hay River facility. As he has said, the young offenders will transferred to the Hay River facility. I would like to ask the Minister, the expenditures which he is proposing are not in the budget and there will have to be renovations made, whether he realizes this or not. Can he review the act, recognizing his responsibilities and ensure those facilities would be used for their designated purposes to deliver the programs they were intended for? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, it was to be part of our meeting Wednesday, because we had an open afternoon. However, we are re-scheduling the meeting. We were going to have it on the agenda. The Legislative Assembly decided to meet on Wednesdays rather than leaving that period open. I have to re-schedule the meeting. We were going to discuss that at that time.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Ms. Cournoyea.

No, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, no.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, the working group is going to be involved. What we have done was instruct the department to come forward, in a period of time, with a plan on how we would do the various tasks. As I have said, regarding the working group, we were going to look at that and clarify the roles which we have on the issue of parks. As I have expressed to the Member, this issue of clarification on the best place to put parks has been in the discussion stage for quite a number of years. I just want to set it straight that this is what I was referring to. The issue was to be on the agenda for Wednesday. We will re-schedule the meeting and look at it at that time. At this time it is in the planning stages, there has been no decision made. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health. In January, 1993, I learned that a report was released by the Canadian Wildlife Services indicating a high level of cadmium has been found in caribou liver and kidneys. The report went on to say that caribou have been found safe for human consumption. Mr. Speaker, I have heard that this report has been called back by the Canadian Wildlife Services because there were no experts in human health involved in the study. Recognizing that cadmium is a toxic substance, can the Minister inform Members of this Assembly what actions her department have taken to ensure that the report is correct and that the caribou are safe to eat?

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There have not been any official studies carried out by the Department of Health. The samples have been collected through Renewable Resources. The report was published prematurely and that is why it has been called back. Thank you.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Yukon government did a comprehensive public information campaign regarding cadmium. I would like to ask the Minister why the department has not done anything with regard to that campaign and whether the caribou are safe to eat.

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The samples which were collected in the territories were carried out by Renewable Resources, in the last five years. We do not have an adequate database in the NWT to conclude whether the cadmium found in the caribou is dangerous to human health. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Whether or not we have a data base, is your department determining if caribou meat is safe to eat? How do you determine that?

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Health and Welfare Canada was the one who determined the meat safe to eat. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

In the meantime, is the Minister suggesting that we continue to eat the caribou?

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Zoe.

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Health and Welfare Canada is the one who should be doing the studies to see if the caribou meat is safe to eat or not.

Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Renewable Resources has been collecting the samples in collaboration with the Department of Health. It then goes to Health and Welfare Canada. We only have five years of this sampling. It is not conclusive to say whether it is safe or not so, the studies will continue. Yes, thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Government Leader regarding the proposed budget planning and approval cycle. When I was first elected last year I received some documents called multi-year budget cycle and four way system of government, and proposed budget planning and approval cycles. My concern is with the capital planning process. Last year we undertook a process where, as MLAs, we had input or comments on capital plans. I am wondering if that same process is going to be followed this year? Thank you.

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, yes.

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you. If that is the case, I have many concerns with regard to how the process went last year. Before this process starts again for community and MLA input, I was hoping we would be given a chance to have some input into the way the process went through last year. I am wondering if there will be an opportunity for us to make comments on the way the capital planning process was done last year, so that we can improve it. Thank you.

Ms. Cournoyea.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know we received quite a number of very favourable responses, particularly from the communities. If there are some difficulties with it, I will discuss this matter with the Minister of Finance and would be prepared to meet with MLAs individually to discuss the process. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The staff are aware of the federal government money for the AIDS program. The federal government have stated they plan to put more money into the AIDS program. There is not enough detail yet as to how the money will be divided between jurisdictions. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Ms. Mike.

Mr. Speaker, no.

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

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We should be. The federal government just made the announcement. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Your final supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Ms. Mike.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to get clarification whether he is talking about our own program on AIDS or a federal government program. Thank you.

Mr. Whitford, if you would like to pose your question again, you may.

Ms. Mike.

Not to my knowledge, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Zoe.