Good morning. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, last September there was a great deal of debate in this Assembly about the need for a public inquiry into the administration and quality of medical services at the Fort Smith health centre.

The debate was prompted by a review of medical services at the health centre in June of 1992 by two doctors from Saskatchewan and the subsequent report of those physicians, the Saskatchewan Report.

Much of the discussion in the Assembly was initiated by concerns over: the suspension of Dr. Uma Viswalingam's privileges to practice medicine at the Fort Smith health centre; the referral of the Saskatchewan doctor's report by the government to a medical board of inquiry established under the Medical Profession Act; and, public concern over the future status of Dr. Viswalingam's practice in Fort Smith.

After a lengthy debate, a motion was passed in the Assembly requesting a public inquiry into the issues surrounding the administration and quality of medical services provided by the Fort Smith health centre to the residents of Fort Smith.

In considering the motion passed by the Legislature and the debate that took place in the House, the government came to the decision that a public inquiry would be established. It arrived at this decision because of the growing demand that a public procedure would help to resolve various issues surrounding Dr. Viswalingam and the operation of the health centre.

As a result, the Honourable Ted Hughes accepted a Cabinet appointment to conduct the inquiry. He in turn appointed Mr. Brian Barrington-Foote as inquiry counsel. Together they undertook the preliminary investigations and organizational planning required to begin the public inquiry Monday of next week.

Mr. Speaker, there has been a recent and significant turn of events that places the need for the inquiry into question.

Earlier this week the government, the Fort Smith health centre and Dr. Viswalingam resolved a number of outstanding issues and have signed a settlement agreement that has resulted in Dr. Viswalingam's resignation as an employee of the Fort Smith health centre. He has been paid a sum of $195,000 which is consistent with his years of service with the government and his professional status.

In return, Dr. Viswalingam has agreed to undergo the assessments recommended in the Saskatchewan Report. The assessments will be conducted by McMaster University in accordance with its physician review and enhancement program. They will include both a medical competency and psychiatric assessment.

Following the assessments, Mr. Speaker, the medical board of inquiry will conduct its investigation under the authority of the Medical Profession Act.

Upon successful completion of the McMaster's assessment and compliance with any treatment and upgrading that may be required, and subject to the results of the medical board of inquiry, the doctor will be allowed to practice in Fort Smith as a private practitioner.

Mr. Speaker, with the settlement of these issues, the government believes that one of the primary reasons for establishing a public inquiry has been satisfied.

In addition, there have been problems associated with introduction of the Saskatchewan Report as evidence before the public inquiry because it falls under the protection of the Evidence Act.

As Members know, we were invited by Mr. Hughes to consult with his inquiry counsel about the Evidence Act, and have done so.

Mr. Speaker, when the inquiry was established it was hoped the events surrounding the preparation of the Saskatchewan Report could be introduced into evidence with the consent of all counsel involved. It was subsequently learned that this simply was not possible without an amendment to the Evidence Act.

In addition, as Mr. Barrington-Foote conducted his investigation and gathered evidence, it became increasingly apparent that a significant portion of proposed evidence would be inadmissible as a result of the protection afforded by the Evidence Act.

This is something that would have been difficult to determine at the beginning of the inquiry as, at that time, we did not know what the evidence would be.

After careful and serious consideration, Mr. Speaker, the government is not prepared to amend the act in order to gain access to the report for the purpose of the public inquiry. That would be a dangerous precedent.

The section of the Evidence Act in question is in place to foster candid disclosure of information in quality assurance activities by hospitals. These statutory provisions are not unique to the Northwest Territories and similar provisions can be found in the Evidence Acts of other jurisdictions for the same reasons.

In discussing this matter with Mr. Barrington-Foote, he confirmed that exclusion of the Saskatchewan Report would make it extremely difficult for the inquiry to fulfil its terms of reference. He added that evidence he had collected indicated there was no conspiracy or wrong-doing in the preparation of the report.

Mr. Speaker, the settlement with Dr. Viswalingam and our position in respect to the Evidence Act leaves little, if anything, to examine under the auspices of a public inquiry that could add a further $400,000 to the estimated $80,000 in costs that we have incurred to date.

As a result, I am informing Mr. Hughes that the government does not intend to proceed with the public inquiry. The Minister of Health and the Member for Thebacha will meet with the residents of Fort Smith and, if requested, the government will use a more conventional process to settle any remaining concerns about the quality of health services and its administration in that community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to briefly comment on the Government Leader's statement with respect to the public inquiry into the Fort Smith health centre. Mr. Speaker, when this issue was first raised in this House my constituents had a great deal of concern with respect to all of the events surrounding Dr. Viswalingam and the Fort Smith health centre. These concerns were communicated over and over to me in many forms. At that time, Mr. Speaker, I believed that the only way this matter could be fully and completely resolved was by way of a public inquiry. Over the past few months I have been involved in the events leading up to the inquiry.

Because of this, I wish to rise and state for the record that I concur with the Government Leader's decision that a public inquiry is no longer required. I concur with this decision for two reasons. Firstly, it has become increasingly evident that a critical piece of evidence, the Saskatchewan Report, and the events leading up to the preparation of this report, cannot be entered into evidence at the inquiry. Mr. Speaker, the report and the events leading up to the report were fundamental to the successful conclusion of an inquiry. Without the report the inquiry loses a great deal of its focus and direction, and I do not believe the Evidence Act should be amended to allow this report to be received into evidence. The social policy concerns surrounding the Evidence Act are simply too important to be lightly swept away.

Secondly, Mr. Speaker, my constituents' concerns, with respect to the way Dr. Viswalingam was treated have been adequately addressed through the government and Dr. Viswalingam reaching a voluntary agreement. This agreement was reached on Dr. Viswalingam's own volition and I believe that my constituents would be satisfied that Dr. Viswalingam has now been treated fairly. For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I concur with the Government Leader's statement and I welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further with the Minister of Health and my constituents in a public forum in Fort Smith. Thank you.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Coral Harbour the community education council, parents and young people have a great concern regarding the size of the school. Last year I stated that the students, particularly kindergarten students, have been doing their schooling in a gymnasium. They also have to use the adult education centre for students because there is no room in the school. I am concerned that the kindergarten students, who will be starting this fall, will have inadequate schooling. They will also have a grade 11 extension in the school. Looking at the situation in the school in Coral Harbour and the grade 11 extension, there will be a lack of space for all the students in the school. I have been in contact with the community education council to discuss improvements or plans for the school year, and the council indicated they were in the planning process, however, they have not come up with a solution to this problem as of yet. (Translation ends)

At the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister of Education questions regarding the issues I have just raised. Also, I will be tabling a document on the ten year plan of the Keewatin divisional board of education, 1993-2003, stating exact requirements of the Keewatin.

The allotted time for your Member's statement has elapsed. Mr. Arvaluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to seek unanimous consent to conclude this statement.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am trying to say in reviewing the 1993-94 Main Estimates and

plans, there seems to be an imbalance regarding education funding as well as the staff housing policy, they seem to be contradictory. These are the main problems which are created within the schools. The government has to seriously consider that students are a priority. If they can work well together, the problem will be solved. I will be pursuing this matter further in the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 3, Member's statements. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be making a statement regarding DPW. Every year, in my constituency, there are boats anchored in the harbour which have sunk due to bad weather. We are requesting a safe haven for boats be built in the harbour. They are in the planning process of this safe haven. There can be very rough waters in that particular harbour. We sometimes get gale winds. So, we are requesting that a safe haven for boats to be built. Perhaps the Minister of MACA or DPW can look into this matter because this is a very great concern to the people of Lake Harbour. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to inform the House that the Nunavut business conference and trade show will be held in Iqaluit March 18, 19 and 20. Mr. Speaker, the theme of this year's conference is Nunavut and business, identifying the economic opportunities in Nunavut. This year's business conference and trade show is promising to be a great success. The Baffin regional chamber of commerce, which has organized this conference, had originally set aside 65 booths. They have been forced to expand to 72 booths, due to the high degree of interest, and there is still a waiting list. Over 100 delegates are confirmed to attend.

They include senior people from the Toronto Dominion Bank, who are coming to look at banking opportunities in Nunavut. The president-elect of the Tungavik Federation of Nunavut, Mr. Paul Quassa, will also be making a key-note address. Senior representatives of Nunasi Corporation, the NWT Development Corporation, the Workers' Compensation Board, the Federal Business Development Bank and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will be among the territorial organizations represented.

MLAs are also very welcome to attend. I am also hopeful, Mr. Speaker, that our Minister of Economic Development and Tourism can find a way to attend this very important event. I would like to congratulate the Baffin regional chamber of commerce for their hard work in organizing what promises to be the largest meeting of its kind ever held in Nunavut. Qujannamiik.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have been concerned lately with the comments the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism has been making in the House regarding the economic strategy of this government. Mr. Speaker, during the past three to four years the Government of the Northwest Territories and this Legislative Assembly have devoted a great deal of thought, time and money to the development of an economic plan for the Northwest Territories. There was a Special Committee on Northern Economy of the last Legislative Assembly which was established in 1988 to examine how a sound economic base for the Northwest Territories could be developed. The committee conducted extensive public hearings and workshops and, in October of 1989, outlined 30 recommendations for the implementation of a strategy designed to meet the needs of developed and underdeveloped communities. One of the underlying principles of the strategy was that economic development must be community-based. Following this, the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism of that time tabled documents which outlined the economic strategy of the government. This strategy was detailed and comprehensive. It was developed as a result of extensive consultation with communities and interest groups. The people of the Northwest Territories were told that this is the way the government is going to go and this will provide hope for the future.

Again, one of the core elements of the economic plan for the Northwest Territories was that there must be concentration on the needs and potential for development in the disadvantaged communities. There was a definite direction to development of our economy. We were going to build on our community strengths. Mr. Speaker, the development of communities is a future for our young people. Our youth are suffering from many social problems. The reasons for these problems are that there are no jobs and our people have lost hope. The communities have resources to draw upon, but this takes time. Already, this government seems to have lost its commitment to this solid, long-term development strategy in favour of boom and bust, mega projects that often do not benefit many northern people. Now, we hear from the Minister that this long-term strategy is only one of the documents we are using. The direction which was provided to this government by the people of the north is being ignored at this time.

Mr. Antoine, your allotted time has elapsed.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my last sentence.

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

Thank you. The commitment to our people must be a priority of this government. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Koe on February 25, 1993, regarding the involvement of the Gwich'in Tribal Council in the establishment of a park.

Mr. Speaker, regional officials are developing a work plan which will detail the tasks and priorities and will guide the development of a park management plan. In accordance with the memorandum of agreement, the park management plan will be reviewed and agreed to by the parks committee and then recommended for approval by my office. The parks committee is made up of two representatives of the Gwich'in Tribal Council, chief James Firth and Albert Adams. Two representatives from the department, regional superintendent Doug Doan and parks and visitor services manager, John Cournoyea, and is to be chaired by an independent party, Joe Benoit.

Once approved, the plan will be implemented. Where contracts are required in park development, the Gwich'in will be given every consideration, subject to price and performance, in accordance with the memorandum of agreement. With specific reference to Gwich'in Geographics, the department already has in its possession recent air photography and air photo mosaics from MACA, and topographic maps and satellite imagery from Renewable Resources. These resource materials are sufficient for the preliminary planning of the park. Future requirements for geographic information and mapping have yet to be determined. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My response is to the question asked by Mr. Ningark on March 2, 1993, in regard to the social services social welfare.

The employability enhancement accord, commonly known as the SAR agreement, between our government and the federal government, was signed in 1987 in order to create employment opportunities for social assistance recipients.

Effective April 1, 1992, the budget for this program was transferred to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Programs in order to allow for better targeting of clients and to ensure effective career planning.

The Department of Social Services staff are also currently working with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Programs to develop a strategy for providing increased training opportunities for employable social assistance recipients. This is the first part of a more comprehensive review of income support for these clients, which is being undertaken jointly by the two departments.

In addition to these cooperative initiatives, Social Services staff have reviewed the existing regulations and identified potential changes. This includes increasing the amount of income which people could earn without jeopardizing their benefits, providing direct support for the traditional harvesting activities and raising the asset limit.

Further work to determine the financial impact of these changes and to ensure continued cost-sharing with the federal government will be completed in the coming fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have not cleared this question with OMC, but I see that the chairperson is out of the House. In any event, I know she has a very good sense of humour, and this being a Friday, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Finance, in light of the very expensive and time consuming political issues that seem to continuously arise from the constituency of Thebacha, and since Fort Smith is very close to the Alberta border, will the government consider commissioning a survey to find out whether Fort Smith just might be inside the Alberta border and not the responsibility of the GNWT after all?

---Laughter

---Applause

The honourable Member plays politics on the edge.

---Laughter

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, as Members know, the Department of Renewable Resources has the ability for satellite imagery. Before I went down there for the meeting with the community on the banks, I did consult with them and we did, in fact, confirm that Fort Smith is in the Northwest Territories, and we are glad of that, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Taking my life in my hands, I would like to ask a supplementary to the Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs. Mr. Speaker, I know the Minister is spearheading an initiative called community transfer...

Mr. Patterson, if you are asking a question to a new Minister, it is a new question, and you will have to take

your place in the batting order. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Fort Smith is one of the oldest communities in the Northwest Territories, may I remind the honourable Member for Iqaluit.

Mr. Speaker, I did have a question with respect to the housing issue. I would like to direct it to the Minister of Personnel. Mr. Speaker, at the last session the Minister of Personnel indicated surplus housing would be disposed of to the public through the real estate agents. I have been advised recently by my constituents that many of the surplus units which will be identified will be turned over to DPW, Government Services and Arctic College. Is the Minister of Personnel aware of this intention? Is this now the intention of Personnel to address surplus housing in this manner? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Mr. Speaker, is it clear that there has been no decision, as of yet, to identify surplus units to the Department of Government Services and Public Works and Arctic College? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Mr. Speaker, is this a change from the intended process to dispose of surplus government units than what the Minister had stated last fall? Thank you.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs. In the budget address, reference was made to a new Northwest Territories workers' training fund. When does the Minister intend to provide the details of the $6 million in one time funding to establish the Northwest Territories workers' training fund?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot provide specifics regarding the particular dates. To inform the honourable Members of this House, a statement announcing the program was concluded, however, I wanted to provide everyone with a complete package including information and application forms, so that upon announcing the program it would be a complete package and not a separate package which might confuse people. As soon as we complete this package, it is my intention to make the statement in this House. We have not completed this package as of yet. Thank you.

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

Mr. Speaker, does the Minister expect that to be completed within a week, two weeks, a month, or two months? Does he have any idea of when this will be completed?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am hoping within the next week for sure, two weeks at the maximum. I can indicate to the honourable Member I have reviewed the actual package two weeks ago and have made the appropriate amendments. We are now improving and clarifying the documentation.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to indicate to the honourable Member that no approval has been given to this particular program, except to suggest that approval and support has been given through the aboriginal language program, a matter which was discussed yesterday. There are three programs which are being supported, the Delta/Beaufort teacher program, the north Baffin, and the program in the Dogrib area, particularly in Lac La Martre.

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

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, we are not. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, as I recall that act is no longer on the books. It was repealed last year by this Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, we have not been approached by anyone with a view to assisting in re-opening the mine. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. In Cape Dorset they have initiated a tourism centre and they have requested the park, Malikjuaq. Would the Minister indicate to us in the House today the status of the research? What stage is it at? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, we are still proceeding with that particular park. As far as what stage it is at physically, I will get that information and provide it to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Public Works and Government Services. In the budget address reference was made to the new strategy for training and construction. When does the Minister propose to introduce the new strategy?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Education and I will have that strategy in place for this year's building season. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Traditionally the building season is in June and July, and this House ends hopefully by the end of this month. Does the Minister intend to introduce his new strategy before this House prorogues?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will make every attempt to do so. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. On Friday, February 26, 1993, I asked the Minister some questions regarding the building on strengths package tabled in 1990. The strategy that I am referring to is based on the model of identifying and building on community and regional strengths. In one of the responses, the Minister indicated the building on strength package was only one of the documents he is still using. What are the other planning documents being used by the department? Mahsi.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, when you cling to one document and you say this is the strategy you are going to adopt, you cannot preclude other opportunities as they arise. So, we take the input from communities, from regions, from our offices, and from people who go to our offices and we take their aspirations and the direction they would like to travel in and put that together and say, "Here is more information that is available to us." We are trying to use that information to support economic development in the various communities and regions across the Northwest Territories.

The other documents we might be using are studies we would be completing, whether they are to do with parks, visitor information or statistics which are provided to us which indicate tourism is on the increase in a particular area, or on the decrease in a particular area. All those documents, figures, facts and data may make us perhaps change our thinking or tell people that they should be changing their direction as a result of the economy. It is a moving thing and we use all of those documents to help us try and provide more jobs and a better economy in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has indicated here that he is using a moving target approach on our economy. He also indicated that the documents which I referred to are still being used, which is good. My point is that there does not seem to be a real overall strategy by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in the north. The economy is very poor in smaller communities and it seems to me that the approach here indicated is first come, first serve and those who can fend for themselves are listened to. There are small communities which do not have those kinds of resources. Is there anything in the Minister's department which would help these communities that cannot come forward and fend for themselves? Could he explain to the House how he is approaching the situation? I would appreciate it. Mahsi.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, the programs of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism are directed at level II and III communities. They get a better break on programs than level I communities. Some of the level I communities do not think that is fair, Mr. Speaker. So, already we are directing better access to level II and III communities. All of the communities in the Northwest Territories have access to the programs and they have access to our people. Mr. Speaker, I want to point out, and I have said this before in this House, the direction we are taking right now is that we will allow the communities to tell us what they would like to do. We are doing that in a number of ways, by either listening to the communities or allowing them to direct their own economic development officers to set the priorities the community wants to address. That is another way the communities can go along at their own pace and do the kinds of things they want to do. We are not doing that everywhere yet, but that is the growing trend across the territories. At this time, I think there are at least six communities involved in this process, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, if there are communities that do not feel they are being paid enough attention, if they have aspirations they do not think are being addressed, I would like to know which communities they are and I will make sure that EDOs travel into those communities to sit down and discuss their problems. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. In one of the Minister's responses of last Friday, he indicated the department has found that the views of the community and the department may differ. According to the unedited Hansard on Friday, February 26, 1993, the Minister said, "If the communities are in agreement with us on what we feel is their potential, that is the basis for us to provide them with assistance and the direction we would like to take them." Mr. Speaker, this sounds like the department is somewhat calling all the shots. Is the Minister's position that it is the role of his department to make the decision as to the potential and the appropriate direction for the growth of each community? Mahsi.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, we would like the communities to tell us what they want to do, but we are not going to sit idly by and watch a community do something that we do not think is in their best interest. Yes, we will take their direction, but we will not take their direction at all costs. There has to be a workability and some economics as to what the community wants to do. I want to impress upon Members of the House that we are not particularly interested in going to a community and saying, "This is what we think you should do." We might make that suggestion to them, but if they choose not to go with us in that venture, or whatever it is, then we just will not do it, Mr. Speaker. We are not going to force anyone into anything. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This will be my last supplementary. The documents that I made references to, in the past, the SCONE report and the documents from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, from the last Legislative Assembly, these documents were developed through a long and complicated process from community and regional interest groups. This set direction for the government to take in trying to deal with the big problem of economic development in the north. The Minister is saying he is using just one of these documents and he is concentrating on each community. It seems to be a bush fire approach or first come, first serve approach. Could the Minister tell the House if there is going to be an overall plan for the Northwest Territories, perhaps through a consultation process or a conference of some sort, just to get a good picture of the entire north and see where we are heading at this time? It seems to be we are all over the place and there is no real clear direction on where we are going in terms of economic development. Mahsi.

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, it is not the first time I have heard we do not know where we are going or there is no clear direction. We know where we are going, Mr. Speaker. We are going ahead. We are trying to get those people jobs. We are trying to create a better economy in the Northwest Territories. We have decentralized in order to get some of those smaller communities going. We still have our contribution programs going, but we are trying to get people into manufacturing. We are changing in housing and breaking down packages so manufacturers in the Northwest Territories can build items which can be used in our housing units. We are negotiating contracts so more people in the Northwest Territories get jobs from the money spent by the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Our business incentive policy is becoming more and more effective. More of our money is being spent in the Northwest Territories. In the resource industry, we know where we are going. We are suggesting a corridor between Yellowknife and Coppermine with a port at the end of it, whereby mines can get to those minerals. However, we are saying to the mining companies, "You have to hire in the north and you have to do business in the north." In the oil and gas area, in the Sahtu, there has been an agreement reached that there will be some seismic data shot next winter. That is encouraging. The people up there are saying to us, "After that, perhaps we will look at some land issuance and get some more wells being drilled in that particular area, but, we want to be included and we want to be hired."

In the Delta, the same sort of thing is going on. There is a possibility of a small diameter pipeline coming out of the Delta and going down to Norman Wells. Hondo Oil has just been in here talking to us and no one said no to Hondo Oil, but they were told the same thing, "You better do business in the Northwest Territories, and you better hire people from the Northwest Territories." In the renewable resource sector across the Northwest Territories, we are selling more fish. That is what we want to do. We are processing fish in the Northwest Territories. We are marketing more arts and crafts.

I know Mr. Dent is constantly giving me a hard time about the store in Toronto, but we are moving more products out of the Northwest Territories. That is what we intend to do. Mr. Speaker, perhaps we do not have a plan with "I"s dotted and "T"s crossed and we cannot tell you what is going to happen on Tuesday in August sometime, but we do cling to those principles of doing more business in the Northwest Territories, encouraging more people to get into business in the Northwest Territories, stopping the southerners coming in here and taking those jobs, and training our people so they can work in those industries, whatever they may be. We think we know where we are going. We are solidly behind the Northwest Territories, its people, its businesses and its communities. We will do whatever it takes to make sure the economy expands.

This thing changes drastically every week, Mr. Speaker. The last one was a question in the House today on Colomac Mine. That came out of the blue. Obviously, we are looking at that now and saying, "How can we turn that around to assist people in this area and get the Dogrib people back to work? How can we work it into the Dogrib's plan of generating electricity so they can sell their hydro power?" We believe we know the direction we are going in. Perhaps I have not been clear enough before, but, Mr. Speaker, that is where we are at, that is where we are going. We are going ahead. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 1992, we had a concern. I would like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs a question with regard to radio. Mr. Speaker, it is a mountainous area in my community and there are houses on top of and below the mountains. In the higher part of our community, the radios the people use are not receiving messages adequately. Could the Minister look into this problem of the high altitude not receiving adequate radio messages? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not certain about the issue, but I am prepared to have my officials look into the matter and hopefully resolve the concern of the honourable Member.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism a follow-up question from my honourable colleague from Deh Cho. He indicated the direction of economic development in the Kitikmeot, Sahtu and Delta regions with respect to the renewable resources sector on selling more fish and marketing more arts and crafts. However, he did not give an indication of his plan for the Deh Cho, South Slave, Baffin and Keewatin regions. What is the Minister's plan for these regions? Thank you.

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism.

Mr. Speaker, I guess if I start with the Baffin, that is where much of the fish is being sold out of, Arctic char and turbot. That fishery is becoming a major industry for Pangnirtung and some of the benefits overflow into Iqaluit as well. In the south Baffin, the big thing that is taking off there, Mr. Speaker, is tourism. There are many people who are coming to the two parks there. Although one, Kitannilik, is not even built yet, people were there last year and they are coming in quite sizeable numbers again this year. Just recently, there was an announcement that will affect all of the Arctic, from Baffin all the way across to the Kitikmeot. The Blythe and Co. will be bringing cruise ships up in those areas this year. It looks like it is going to be successful. We could look for more of those visits from offshore dollars to the communities along the Arctic coast.

Mr. Speaker, in the Keewatin, the decentralization aspect which I referred to, has really done a great deal for Rankin Inlet, helping develop their fishery as well and their new fish plant. Baker Lake's arts and crafts centre is also contributing. All of those communities will be sending fish into Rankin Inlet for processing. They will also be harvesting caribou this year and reselling into the local market. The relocation of the resupply point, which is now Churchill into Rankin Inlet, is being looked at. Rankin Inlet is looking at a health centre there which would handle many of the cases that are presently going to Winnipeg, which will keep more of the dollars in the Northwest Territories. Tourism is not as strong in the Keewatin, but it is not bad either, Mr. Speaker. We will keep working with those people to get more visitors up into the area.

When we get into the South Slave region, we are actively pursuing the opening of the Fort Resolution sawmill again. Lumber prices are extremely high this year. We are also looking at receiving lumber from Fort Providence. Fort Providence has expressed an interest to us. That would create some jobs for local people in the area. We would hopefully be exporting some of that lumber out of the Northwest Territories to increase our exports.

In Fort Smith we are interested in tourism, but I think one of the things which must be addressed is the likelihood of a road south. The Department of Transportation recently attended a meeting in Fort McMurray. There has been all kinds of suggestions from Fort Smith about a road, linking it to Alberta. Some people say it will let more dollars out, but in the long-term, we at Economic Development and Tourism believe it will be beneficial for the town of Fort Smith, and that more dollars will come in than go out. I am interested in putting a greenhouse into Fort Smith. I have had recent discussions with some people from Fort Smith. I think it has the potential to become a place where we can grow green vegetables, lettuce, et cetera, and sell it into this particular area.

Mr. Speaker, when you move across to the Deh Cho, in that area the Inuvialuit petroleum corporation and the Dene reserve in Hay River are actively looking at participation in the Cameron Hills project, and being participants in the ownership of the company. This is very exciting because it is a major development.

The community of Fort Simpson is giving us a great deal of cooperation as far as decentralization is concerned. I would say that in the South Slave, decentralization also affects Fort Smith, Hay River and Fort Simpson. Fort Simpson and also the Deh Cho Tribal Council, have recently had talks to see about extending the gas pipeline from the Pointed Mountain gas wells into the Deh Cho region. The Deh Cho, in our opinion, has good potential for lumber. There will be a test cut this year, Mr. Speaker. It also has excellent potential for gas in that particular area.

Mr. Speaker, we have run into a snag with the tanker base going into Fort Smith. It came up as a result of us looking at a long-term plan about how we intend to fight fires in the Northwest Territories. That came about when we thought about how can we get more dollars into the hands of northerners, and are we fighting fires properly. Mr. Speaker, if I am going on too long you can stop me. Obviously, you will. How we can fight fires more effectively in the Northwest Territories is another way to get northerners jobs because the more people we hire up here, the better it is for us.

So, we are still committed to putting that tanker base in Fort Smith. We just do not know the dimensions yet, what its capabilities need to be and Renewable Resources are conducting a study for us in this regard.

Mr. Speaker, in the Delta, they are already looking at a tannery. Mr. Zoe has an experimental project going on in his communities with the tanning of hides. If we can correct the problem of the tanning, then we may be able to do some tanning in the Northwest Territories and stop people having to ship hides out. There has been some activity in this area and this will be the next challenge for us in that renewable resource area, our ability to tan in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, here and there, we are trying to build on the strengths of communities. We are trying to build on the resources they have around them. I did not mean to leave anyone out before, but I was going on at some considerable length, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pollard. I would like to remind Members that if Members want to ask a complex question to consider using written questions, because complex questions lead to long detailed answers which takes up much of the time in question period, and takes away the opportunity for other Members to ask questions. It is a matter of balance and fairness on both sides. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

I hope this is not too complex. During the previous session, Cabinet announced decentralization initiatives, the moving of staff from various departments to various communities. The Minister of Finance, in his speech, also made reference to this initiative. I have a question for the Premier. What is the status of these decentralization initiatives?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, we are on track. Training programs are in place. There has been one change in the Keewatin, in Rankin Inlet, since the presentation to the Standing Committee on Finance last year, that is we have dropped our requirement from 32 housing units down to 28. As far as the numbers of people who are moving around or out of Yellowknife for the new positions which are being created, everything is going according to the plan, which we laid down to the Standing Committee on Finance last year, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Some of these transfers were to be done and completed by April 1. Can the Minister confirm if initial timetables are going to be met?

Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have not been advised that any of the timetables will not be met. Mr. Speaker, I still anticipate that there will be a snag or two, which we will have to work out. However, at the present time, it is my understanding that we are on track. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, in his capacity as Minister responsible for Arctic College. A few days ago, a notice was brought to my attention by one of my constituents, which announced a major 1993 fine arts and crafts competition for the eastern Arctic. I think this contest is an excellent initiative. It is a way to recognize new artists, rediscover old ones and encourage fine art development. This is a good way to promote young people in fine arts. This contest is open to residents of the Baffin, Keewatin and Kitikmeot regions of the Northwest Territories as well as residents of Greenland, Labrador and northern Quebec. It is coordinated by the Nunatta campus of Arctic College in Iqaluit. Will the Minister ensure that a similar fine arts competition is organized for arts and crafts people in Denendeh? Mahsi.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to indicate to the honourable Member that I have no difficulty in reviewing the program and finding out whether it would be available in Denendeh. However, I do wish to indicate to the honourable Member the ability for us to deliver that particular program would obviously be affected by the financial resources that we have. I will look into that particular matter.

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.