Good afternoon. Before we proceed with the orders of the day, I would like to recognize in the gallery the board of governors of Arctic College. The chair of Arctic College, Chris Brodeur and the vice chair and chair-elect, Joanne Deneron.

---Applause

We welcome you here today to the Legislative Assembly. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, today is international women's day. It is a day when all countries of the world recognize, in various ways, the contributions women have made to the betterment of society.

The concept of an international women's day, recognized by the United Nations in 1977, originated 83 years ago at a meeting of the international socialist women's association. It was established at a time when women were starting to make some progress in their struggle for better wages and working conditions as well as for the right to vote in elections.

Much has happened since those early days and there is a great deal to celebrate in respect to the contributions women, from all walks of life, are making in today's world.

There are also still a great deal of challenges and problems which must be resolved in order to make sure family units and values are protected and remain strong in this period of rapid social, economic and political change.

In the Northwest Territories women are playing an increasingly strong role in identifying issues and in shaping community and territorial direction. However, this is not a job for women alone. All of us, parents, family units, churches, community leaders and government must share in the work which has to be done.

We have to work harder to help ourselves. Together, we have to develop enhanced support systems for victims of spousal assault. At the same time, we must make sure everyone understands that the chronic alcohol and substance abuse

problems, family violence and sexual abuses that are plaguing society in the Northwest Territories simply cannot be tolerated.

We also have to address other matters such as gender equality, pay equity and the need for affordable and expanded child care facilities and services, particularly for single parent families trying to raise their children and work at the same time.

Mr. Speaker, women of the north are participating as equals to help make sure that these and other problems and inequities are resolved so that all individuals have the opportunity to live a life of honour and dignity.

Whether they are involved in traditional pursuits or the wage economy, northern women are helping to make a difference in today's world and they will continue to do so every day of the year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

I would like to recognize in the gallery our Member of Parliament for the western Arctic, Ethel Blondin-Andrew.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This government is working hard to create a work-force which reflects the population it serves, and to help northerners get the education and training they need to access jobs. My colleagues and I believe that many more northerners should be working in the health care system.

There are more than 370 registered nursing positions in the Northwest Territories. Less than six of these are filled by aboriginal people. To encourage more northerners and aboriginal people to enter the nursing profession, Arctic College will be offering a nursing diploma program this September.

The program will be developed and delivered in cooperation with Yukon College, the NWT Registered Nurses' Association, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, hospital boards and aboriginal organizations.

The nursing diploma program will consist of two years of registered nursing instruction, and a practicum which will likely run for an additional semester. When students have finished the program, they may write the national registration exam, and if they are successful, enter the work-force. Students interested in continuing their education may enter the final two years of a bachelor of nursing program at university.

The program will be tailored to meet the needs of individuals. Students who lack the academic background to enter the program directly will be able to take a year of upgrading. Candidates who have a grade 12 advanced diploma may enter the first year of the program, while certified nursing assistants may enter the second year directly based on individual assessments. Mature students will have their previous education assessed, and will be placed at an appropriate point in the program. We also wish to encourage health care workers presently employed in the health care system to take advantage of this program.

Mr. Speaker, special attention will be paid to student support, particularly in the areas of accommodation, child day care, academic and cultural support and career counselling. Students will be eligible for funding under the student financial assistance program. This flexible approach, which allows students to work towards their specific career goals, has already been successful in areas such as teacher education and social services.

Mr. Speaker, as a result of this program we expect that 300 northerners will be trained and placed in nursing positions across the Northwest Territories over the next 20 years. As a result, health care services will largely be provided by people who understand the language and the culture of the people they care for. We expect this will result in better communication, an increase in preventative health care and help lower costs in the long run because of anticipated reductions in staff turnover and recruiting costs. We expect the financial benefits to this government will exceed the annual costs of delivering the program in less than ten years.

Mr. Speaker, the health care system touches the lives of everyone in our society. I believe the nursing diploma program will play an important part in increasing the participation of northerners in health care, and in making the system more responsive to the needs of northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to provide Members with a report on my meetings in Charlottetown with the four representatives from the European parliament.

It is fortunate that we were able to arrange a meeting at the last minute with the representatives from Britain, Germany and Greece. We learned of their visit through an indigenous survival international delegation which was in Brussels on February 23.

Since that time, my staff had numerous contacts with the international fund for animal welfare, who had invited and arranged the meeting with the European delegates. It was not until shortly before my departure that my attendance at the meeting was confirmed.

Altogether, I spent over five hours talking to the European delegates. My presentation was very well received and corrected a great deal of false information they had been provided with.

As a result, I believe the parliamentarians are returning to Europe with a much better understanding of our northern cultures and lifestyles. I explained that the Arctic is not a frontier for other people to exploit. The Arctic is our homeland and we expect others to respect and support our customs and life-styles.

In addition, both myself and Mannassie Audlakiak of Clyde River explained how important harvesting renewable resources is to our residents and how harvesting forms the basis for our cultures.

The parliamentarians did not know about the devastating social and economic impacts of the 1982 European seal product ban on Inuit communities. They did not understand that the most effective way to maintain healthy and productive stocks of wildlife is to allow residents to benefit from those resources and remain the caretakers. They had been led to believe that seals in Canada needed protection from harvesting so they would not become endangered. I told them there are well over three million harp and ringed seals in Canadian waters.

Mr. Speaker, I was also able to have a private meeting with two of the delegates. We talked about the state of our northern fur industry and our relationship with the European market.

I learned that there are different goals among animal rights organizations. Some wish to see a total ban on killing animals, some wish to see humane harvesting techniques adopted and some have environmental beliefs that are similar to our aboriginal philosophies.

By knowing more about their goals, we can actually have some organizations assist our objectives to use resources wisely.

There are also other actions we can take in response to European concerns about harvesting. First, we must continue to develop and adopt humane harvesting techniques. Second, we must find ways to separate our renewable resource products from those produced in other regions. Third, we must increase our involvement with other governments so we can ensure that their decisions do not negatively impact our life-styles or aspirations.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Audlakiak for coming with me. He was an excellent spokesman for Inuit harvesters. The children's posters on wildlife harvesting which he provided will be part of the parliamentarians' press conference in Brussels.

The European delegation had separate meetings with representatives from the Canadian sealer's association, indigenous survival international and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. They promised to give further consideration to the points we discussed.

Another delegation from the European parliament is scheduled to visit Canada at the end of April. Their mission is to report on Canadian issues and I will be encouraging them to include a visit to the Northwest Territories as part of their trip. I will keep Members of this Legislative Assembly informed. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Allooloo. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Friday there were several questions about economic development. I note this weekend in Edmonton at the Hotel MacDonald, the Canadian Polar Commission met and the subject of the conference was circumpolar trade and the Canadian agenda. Mr. Speaker, I raise this today because this polar commission, which has been in existence for over a year, has chosen economic development as the focus for its work. The workshops which were held on the weekend included large scale interests of some major companies, the issue of export readiness, the natural resources of the north, tourism, and trade among the circumpolar nations. Mr. Bailey, the deputy minister of Economic Development and Tourism attended this meeting. It is of obvious interest to our government.

I raise this issue, not because I question what the Canadian Polar Commission's mandate is or how it chooses to use its resources, because they chose this subject of economic development as the focus for their work and their major recommendation was that the federal government develop an economic development strategy for the north. This is worrisome because our government has this kind of mandate. This commission, and all the players who took part in this weekend conference, decided that there was a vacuum and that something should be done. I urge our government to get on with it, so that we can have a clear idea of where we are going. Thank you.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A tragedy occurred on February 27, 1993, in Montreal, Quebec. A resident of Lake Harbour, Mr. Novoalia Kolola was severely beaten to death in a house he was occupying. The family was notified in Lake Harbour regarding his death and his sister was notified in Vancouver. The family was not able to afford the plane ticket for his sister to attend the funeral. Fund raising efforts were immediately started by the community of Lake Harbour. I have been requested to approach the Minister of Social Services for assistance. We have not been able to acquire any funding assistance from Social Services.

This tragedy is compounded, Mr. Speaker, by the fact that Mr. Kolola's parents both died within one week of each other a few years ago. I would like to express my deepest disappointment in the Department of Social Services for their total lack of assistance, despite meetings with the Minister, her officials and myself. I would like to acknowledge my appreciation to the people of Broughton Island, Coral Harbour, Pangnirtung and Clyde River. I also want to thank the hamlet of Lake Harbour as the hamlet is paying the difference of the fund raising shortfall. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the people of Lake Harbour because they were able to raise some funds to enable the sister to attend the funeral.

Mr. Pudlat, the allotted time has lapsed. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, that was the end of my statement. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Pudlat. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Dent.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to express my thanks to the Minister of Health, the Honourable Rebecca Mike, and the many constituents who attended last night's public meeting in Fort Smith. Mr. Speaker, the meeting was held to receive feedback from residents of my constituency regarding the decision not to proceed with the public inquiry into the Fort Smith health centre.

It was a very well attended meeting, despite the short notice, with over 70 people in attendance. I know that the people of Fort Smith were very pleased with the fact that the Minister came into our community and that she showed a definite willingness to listen to their concerns.

Mr. Speaker, the people in attendance were generally accepting of the decision not to proceed with the inquiry. However, many of them expressed some strong ideas about the delivery of health services in Fort Smith.

There were strong sentiments, for instance, that a new board should be formed as soon as possible to manage the health centre. There was a definite interest in giving consideration to an elected board concept. I know that changes to legislation would probably need to take place in order to address this suggestion. It is critical that some strategy be developed to ensure the hospital board fully represents the diversity which exists in the community, including representation from the town, the Metis local and the band. It is important that the component of this concept continue.

There was also recognition of the need for formal orientation and training programs for board members who serve on any health centre board. Participants felt, as well, that members of any new hospital board should be able to select their own chairperson. There were concerns expressed about the current operation of the health centre, particularly about the high turnover in medical resources created by the many locum physicians on which the health centre has had to rely upon.

I indicated to my constituents that during the next month, I will be surveying the Fort Smith population for additional ideas and will be looking forward to seeing a new board in place at the earliest opportunity. I was pleased that their comments provided a strong foundation for moving ahead for delivery of health services in our community. Thank you.

---Applause

Another very well timed Member's statement, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) I want to say something very important today about the western region. The Dene Nation is starting over and there was an all-chiefs meeting. I would like to make a few comments about that meeting. (Translation ends)...representation of all the bands in the Mackenzie Valley. All the communities were represented, and this is the first time in a long time that they have met together.

The purpose was to closely examine the organization itself and make decisions about its future. It was a very successful exercise, Mr. Speaker, with an open sharing of views and several resolutions passed, which I believe will go a long way towards preparing the Dene Nation for its future challenges. During the meeting, for instance, chiefs passed a motion to establish a special committee to review and suggest options for constitutional renewal of possible structural change within their organization. A new role has been established for regional vice chiefs, including assisting in financial review and deficit reduction.

Important progress was also made with respect to the development of the mechanism for resolution of dispute within the Dene Nation. In keeping with traditional Dene ways, the Dene Nation is resolved to deal with any future disputes without interference from other political entities, or from non-aboriginal governments, but with the full involvement of our elders. Work is proceeding with documentation of elders' understanding of agreements made with the Crown and Treaties 8 and 11, and a motion of support for the Sayasi Dene was carried. The chiefs are going to be meeting in Fort McPherson starting tomorrow to deal with health issues.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I note that the Dene Nation has passed a motion directing the territorial government to commence core funding to the Denendeh national office. As a Dene, I am pleased with the progress that the Dene Nation has made in revitalizing itself as a national organization working in the interests of all Dene people.

As an MLA, I am happy to see the chiefs from all regions of the Denendeh come together and, again, work in unity. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 3, Member's statements. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This past weekend, the Hay River Dene Reserve held its annual K'amba Carnival. I would like to congratulate the carnival organizers on another job well done. Every year the carnival gets bigger, better and more organized. This year was no exception. The carnival has become so popular that it attracted people from as far north as Fort Norman, as far south as Fort Smith, as far east as Snowdrift and as far west as Fort Liard. The carnival opened Thursday and ran until Sunday evening. One of the biggest attractions was a two-day dog race which featured about 20 teams. It was a spectacular sight, Mr. Speaker, to watch so many teams in a mass start.

Coinciding with the carnival was the opening of the reserve's senior citizens' home on Friday at 1:00 pm. I would like to thank former Social Services' Ministers, Jeannie Marie-Jewell and Tony Whitford, for their efforts on behalf of the senior citizens.

When I was first elected in 1983, one of my first goals was to provide shelter for senior citizens on the reserve. I am glad this has finally become a reality, however, I must point out for the record, Mr. Speaker, we have not addressed all social housing issues.

Once again, I would like to thank chief Pat Martel, his counsellors and the Dene volunteers who organized the carnival and made it a success. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Gargan. Item 3, Member's statements. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to rise and also recognize international women's day, and like the honourable Minister responsible for the Status of Women, I agree that northern women are taking leadership positions in Canada, in the Northwest Territories and in my constituency, and they should be recognized. I am just going to name a few, Mr. Speaker, although this list is by no means exhaustive. First we have to, once again, be proud that we have selected the first woman Government Leader in the history of the Northwest Territories. We have to be proud of people like Rosemarie Kuptana, named by McLean's magazine as one of the 12 who made a difference last year to Canada; Ethel Blondin-Andrew, who has a very significant national stature; and, Susan Aglukark, whose reputation is growing in Canada as a musician with a message, just to name a few, Mr. Speaker.

I also want to acknowledge that women from my constituency are making their contributions on the Northwest Territories Power Corporation board, and the Arctic College board of governors, which is now very well represented by women in contrast to its composition in earlier years.

---Applause

I would like to join in the congratulations to Joanne Deneron, who I know will be a very capable chairperson like her predecessors. Women from Iqaluit are also working on the NWT arts advisory council. I want to express my pleasure that this government has recently appointed an Inuk woman, who was formally the superintendent of Personnel, to the position of assistant regional director in the Baffin.

I would like to mention, once again in this House, the wisdom and inspiration of the late Leah Nuturaq. We must do more than improve the representation of women, we must ensure that they have an increasing influence on our public policy initiatives. The voice of women must be put, as we consider issues like the Justice House report, family law reform, the battle against family violence.

Item 3, Members' statements. History has been made in this session. This is the first time, since I have been Speaker, that we have gone through Members' statements without seeking unanimous consent.

---Laughter

Congratulations.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question, asked by Mr. Arvaluk on February 24, 1993, regarding social assistance for the Salomonie family.

The department, through their regional office, is working with the municipality which delivers social services in Iqaluit to address the concerns raised by the honourable Member.

Mr. Salomonie would need to meet the eligibility criteria for fuel subsidy before he could receive fuel under the policy.

The criteria for eligibility is as follows: the person is 60 years old or older; is the owner of and lives in his or her own home; depends on wood or fossil fuel as a primary source of heat; and, is a resident of the Northwest Territories.

The allowable amount is five cords of wood, 2,275 litres of fuel oil, 3,105 litres of propane or 76,000 cubic feet of natural gas.

Fuel can also be considered as a need if Mr. Salomonie and his family are assessed as eligible for financial assistance under the social assistance guidelines.

Due to the confidential nature of client case information, the department and the municipality are unable to respond with specific client information. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Mike. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs. On Friday, in committee of the whole in the Minister's opening remarks to the department's budget, the Minister made reference to Arctic College. Specifically, I quote from unedited Hansard, "in recognition of the division of the Northwest Territories, the college is decentralizing into two institutions, one in Fort Smith and one in Iqaluit." Can the Minister elaborate on his statement as to what he means by two institutions?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Very clearly, there will be two boards and two colleges, one in Nunavut and one in Denendeh.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

From the Minister's response, I assume that once decentralization or division takes place, we would have two separate college systems. I assume, by his statement, that Arctic College headquarters for the west will be located in Fort Smith. What is going to happen to all the campuses that presently exist in the west and in the east?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this particular juncture, all those campuses will remain. What is clear is that there will be one headquarters in Nunavut, and one in the west, the Denendeh. It is our intention not to, in any way, reduce the campuses. Hopefully, we can improve through clear identification, programs and services in those campuses, both in the western communities and in the east.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for his response. For the record though, my constituency still has concerns and has heard rumours as to the future use of the existing Aurora Campus. Can the Minister, for the record, state that we will not be closing down this campus in the near future?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can indicate to the honourable Member that no decision has been made by Cabinet to close down any of the campuses. In fact, we have been encouraging the development of programs in those campuses.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, March 5, 1993 the Minister in her return to my oral question, stated that Social Services staff has reviewed existing regulations and identified potential changes. Clients are penalized if they earn extra money and their benefit is jeopardized. When is the Minister going to take action to the identified potential changes in the system? Thank you.

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once I am done stick handling all the items I inherited, and I have more time with my departments, I will make an effort and work with the departments to resolve some of the concerns that have been raised in this House. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I stated in my closing remarks on Friday during the review of the Department of Education, that I will be pursuing the rest of the questions I have through correspondence to the Minister. However, reviewing the unedited Hansard on page 2146, my questions on page 2154 and reading the Minister's answers, how can I pursue information through correspondence, if I have not really been answered? An example is, if Arctic College in a number of communities will be accommodated when the schools are overcrowded, then Arctic College has to be kicked out all the time. I used Coral Harbour as an example. What is the plan for the construction of the Coral Harbour school renovation expansion? Of course, the answer is 1994-95, but in the meantime, the kindergarten children are coming in and grade 11 extension is coming in, right now we are teaching some of our regular classes in the school gym. What are we going to do this fall? I did not receive a very clear answer on that. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister today is, will there be any kind of emergency measures taken to accommodate these students both in grade school and in Arctic College? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So we are not confused, we are working with the school board to consider renovations and other methods so we can respond to the honourable Member's question and concern. It is also a concern of the department and Arctic College, in terms of delivering programs. We are working with the divisional board to respond to the concerns the honourable Member has raised.

Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My supplementary is also regarding how Arctic College will be accommodated when, to date, 30 per cent of their classrooms are now used by regular students. How will they be accommodated once that renovation is completed?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to indicate to the honourable Member that until we have a clear plan as to the programs which are going to be delivered, the number of students, a recommended plan for renovations and what areas need to be renovated which is the responsibility of the school board, it makes it difficult for me to respond because the school board has not concluded which recommendations they wish to make. I hope they will have the plan to meet the needs of construction and of the students. That is their intention and it is our intention to work with them to accommodate both Arctic College and primary school students.

Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This winter we received a strategic plan through Arctic College. Last week we received a ten year plan from the Keewatin divisional board, including a year to year plan. Mr. Speaker, does the Department of Education have a capital plan to coordinate with those two plans which Arctic College and the Keewatin divisional board have made?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, it is our intention to have a capital plan which corresponds with an approved and agreed to plan, under the primary and secondary program and Arctic College. Once we have the plans put into place we will, hopefully, have a capital plan which responds to those needs. That is my intention.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a follow-up to Mr. Ningark's question to the Minister of Social Services regarding welfare reform. Mr. Speaker, I was intrigued to hear the Minister say that before she can deal with the issue of welfare reform within the Department of Social Services, she will need to stick handle issues which she was handed by her predecessor. This caught my attention, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to...

Point of order, Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did not say, "before I stick handle," I said, "Once I am done stick handling the issues, I will have more time in my hands to look into the concerns the Members raise in this House." Thank you.

I am not sure that is a point of order. Although I do not have the Hansard before me, "stick handling" is a figure of speech. I think most people in this House will take it as that. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I understood the Minister's statement. She is basically saying that before she can deal with the issues that have been raised in this House, she has to stick handle her way around certain issues. What are these more pressing issues the Minister has to stick handle which are getting in the way of her pursuing welfare reform with the department? What are those issues she has to work on before welfare reform?

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have just finished with Iqaluit social services assistance program issues, and I have just returned from Fort Smith this morning. Those issues have taken much of my time, but things are now under control. I will have more time with my deputy ministers to address some of the concerns which have been raised in this House. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. According to the answer provided in this House to Mr. Ningark's question on Friday, the department has already done the work of reviewing existing regulations and identifying changes required to increase the amount of income people can earn, without jeopardizing their benefits to provide direct support for the traditional harvesting activities and to raise the asset limit. This suggests that the departmental work has already been done. I would like to ask the Minister, since the departmental work already seems to have been done, what is preventing the Minister from introducing these regulatory changes in the near future? Thank you.

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Nothing is preventing me from introducing these changes. The honourable Member knows the procedures which have to take place. He has been on Cabinet before. I have yet to take them to Cabinet. Once that has gone through, I will inform this House. Thank you.

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

Mr. Speaker, yes, I have been on Cabinet before and I appreciate the Member's acknowledgement of that. Mr. Speaker, I know from my experience on Cabinet that changing regulations is a rather easy matter. It does not require legislation. A Minister can move quite quickly to change regulations. I would like to ask the honourable Minister, how soon does she expect she will be able to put these regulatory changes through, which have been identified to implement welfare reform and get people more inclined to work, more inclined to participate in the renewable resource economy and less dependent on welfare? How long is it going to take? Thank you.

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a funding component to it. So, if the honourable Member wants me to say at such and such a date, he knows very well the procedures in the Cabinet. It will take at least until the end of this fiscal year before I can adequately look at what is at hand. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Government Services and Public Works. Mr. Speaker, on Friday I asked the Minister about the new strategy for training and construction. The Minister responded by saying that he will attempt to introduce a new strategy to this Assembly by the end of this session. In the weekly bulletin published by the NWT Construction Association on February 26, 1993, reference was made to three pilot construction worker training programs. Can the Minister advise this House as to what these three pilot construction training programs are?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the 1992-93 building season, we worked with the NWT Construction Association to implement a pre-construction training program which will be going on next year. It was designed by the NWT Construction Association. These are two different issues altogether. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Is the Minister saying these pilot projects, which were done this past year and are proposed for next year, are

totally separate from what you intend to do in your new strategy?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Possibly the NWT pre-construction training would be part of the new strategy, but it would be one small part of it. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Can the Minister comment on these three pilot projects?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not have the same paper as the Member, so I cannot. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

They are not in the paper, that is why I am asking the question. Can you comment on these three pilot projects which were carried out with the NWT Construction Association and this government?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have my deputy minister get in touch with the NWT Construction Association. I will provide this information today. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I try not to make two oral questions in one sitting, however, I am pressured with the honourable Minister of Health and Social Services' response to my previous question regarding the person living in a shack in Iqaluit. With the rising cost of living, I can envision more of these kinds of shacks being built in other communities. She stated, "five cords of wood, 3,000 pounds of propane, 76,000 cubic feet of natural gas", I am not sure if these are the correct amounts. I am trying to recall what she said. Why are naphtha gas and kerosene not included, when these are the most used in the eastern Arctic where the shack is located?

Ms. Mike.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the weekend, a very important conference was held in Edmonton. I have an agenda in front of me. It contains three or four pages of names of people who were invited to attend this conference. The only person from the Northwest Territories who appears on the list is our Premier. I would like to ask the Government Leader, who else from the Northwest Territories did in fact attend? I know she was not able to attend. Who else was able to attend on behalf of our government?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a couple of moments to approach the subject of commissions. Over the last number of years we have seen a proliferation of people interested in the Northwest Territories, the circumpolar regions and how we are going to interrelate with the countries who are in the circumpolar areas. Mr. Speaker, the polar commission is proceeding with its mandate. Last week there was a meeting of the Arctic council, and there is also the Inuit circumpolar conference.

Over the last number of years, Mr. Speaker, each one of these bodies have sought to secure information and background from the Northwest Territories, not only through the government, but through the aboriginal organizations operating in the north. They have sought to secure information and have suggested that they did not anticipate beginning the process all over again. We have provided the polar commission with the economic strategy of the Northwest Territories. There have been numerous meetings with government and government officials, and myself, over these issues. We have had input over a number of years on these issues.

We did express to the commission that it would be highly unlikely that any Members could participate in this meeting because the session was, in fact, taking place. However, we did provide them with background and I would like to assure the honourable Member that they did take the economic strategy as a base for moving forward on areas that are common to all Arctic communities, the economic basis of which we live, and the commission did not come by that strategy without our input.

There are a number of commissions, agencies and groups having numerous meetings and conferences. We have recommendations from every area. We have a close working relationship with Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. We attempt to work with that group as well as the regional Inuit organizations which in itself ends up in support of the Inuit circumpolar conference. The Government of the Northwest Territories has, financially and intellectually, put much effort into the Inuit circumpolar conference. Not to be forgotten, we tried to put the same feeder lines into the commission as it was being formed and last weekend. We also have input to the Arctic council as well.

We are doing our best to take part in the planning level so when these commissions, conferences and committees get together, the information which has been gathered by people, over a number of years, is utilized. Unfortunately, I do not know, other than Roland Bailey, who attended the meeting this week. We would have been there had the Legislative Assembly not been sitting. This Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories is the group of people who will be carrying out the recommendations, doing the job and trying to be accountable for the results of recommendations.

Mr. Speaker, I am concerned regarding the proliferation of people's interests groups in circumpolar planning, and I am concerned that these efforts would become fragmented. That is my concern. This is our concern. Who is actually going to be dealing with the actual stakeholders in our communities? I am concerned about this. I am concerned about these broad bodies who seem to operate on another level, rather than the place where the job has to be done.

However, I want to assure the honourable Member that whatever commission, whatever committee forms, we do our very best to make sure that we take the time to meet with these people and take the ideas, the economic strategy and what has been developed here and have them, at least, receive the information. Certainly, from what has come out of the commission, they do not say anything different than what has been said here already. I think the residents of the Northwest Territories can be assured that the basis of the recommendations came from the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

I appreciate that the meeting was held on the weekend, but it is in the middle of our session. Is the Premier prepared to accept that the federal government should develop an economic strategy for the Northwest Territories, as recommended by the polar commission from this conference?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, the major issue we have is, there will be no real economic development unless the resources are provided to develop and put in place an economic strategy. At this time, we do have a federal agency which funds money into the Northwest Territories, as well as the Government of the Northwest Territories. The CAEDS organization is set up to deliver to aboriginal people, not only in the Arctic, but also in southern Canada. Unfortunately, it is apparent that we do not have many positive decisions to support the northern economy in that program. There is a

component of federal government resources which is supposed to lead toward economic development, jointly with the Northwest Territories. I believe the only people who can carry out a Northwest Territories economic strategy and development are the stakeholders, to the people who are going to ask questions on how you implement it, are the people of the Northwest Territories. If the federal government wishes to help and place some extra resources in the Northwest Territories for that development, yes, indeed, we will accept that help. It is our job to develop that economic strategy and work with the people who are actually going to be immediately affected. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

I assume the people in Ottawa do read transcripts of our debates. If there is to be an economic development strategy developed as a result of the recommendation of this committee, will the Premier let the federal government know her concerns and how she believes such a strategy should be developed?

Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, the answer is, yes. I believe I would be remiss in my duties, if I did not make that abundantly clear. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was pleased, as I am sure other Members were, with the announcement from the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, about the new nursing diploma program, which is welcome. Mr. Speaker, recognizing that the attrition rate for Baffin candidates for the CNA program, when it was only available at the Stanton hospital in Yellowknife, was quite unacceptable, is it the Minister's intention to see that this nursing diploma program will be delivered in hospitals and through college campuses in other regions of the territories, than just in Yellowknife?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, no decision has been made to deliver from any particular campus yet. I want to inform the honourable Member of that.

Secondly, there are aspects of the program that are crucial in terms of regional campus participation on the campus in Iqaluit, if the honourable Member is arguing for that particular campus, in terms of the access program and also the need for communities to participate in the practicum portion of the program. The program location itself has not been determined, but I want to assure you the program we deliver has credibility, not only in the north, but across the country. It makes no sense for us to develop a program simply to fit and to provide an educational training program to just meet the needs of the communities. We have to provide a program that gives availability of employment wherever a candidate wishes to be employed. I think that is absolutely crucial.

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I was not only advocating that the Minister explore delivering the program in the Baffin regional hospital, but that other hospitals, such as the Inuvik hospital, should have that opportunity as well. I take it from the Minister's answer, that further work is to be done before the details of this program, for example, where it is going to be offered, are available. When can we expect to know in which locations this program can be delivered?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will probably know, and therefore will make known to Members, where the program could be delivered hopefully by the end of this month. I have a report that is being prepared. I should not say "I", but the board of directors for Arctic College, along with the Department of Education, is having a report prepared that would see us determine what is the most appropriate location to deliver the program itself. There are aspects in the program that require the assistance and participation of the regional campuses and the communities to be involved. Therefore, I think it is important that people in the communities know and appreciate the position from where we are trying to do it and how we are trying to deliver the program. It will not be an exclusion of the communities, nor for that matter, the other campuses in the Northwest Territories.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question to the Minister of Education. In the last week of February, in Arviat, a non-student came into the high school and assaulted one of the students in the school. When the student came in, they broke out into a fight. When the fight was broken up, the administration tried to press charges on the intruder for disrupting the school and assaulting a student in the school, but they were not allowed to press charges. Is there a policy in the Department of Education for this type of action?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not aware of the situation. I will have to take the question as

notice so I can have an opportunity to review the situation. There is no existing policy, Mr. Speaker.

Question has been taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. This Assembly is one in which will attempt to be responsive to the initiatives that take place in various communities in the Northwest Territories. On page 2131 of the unedited version of Hansard, the Minister said, "I am interested in putting a greenhouse into Fort Smith." How does the Minister intend to do that?