Good morning. Thank you, Ms. Mike. Item 2, Minister's statements. Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I have a statement to be made on behalf of the Minister of Government Services and Public Works regarding the eastern Arctic bulk fuel contract.

Mr. Speaker, historically the GNWT has purchased fuel for the eastern Arctic from producers in Montreal and had it transported on ships contracted on our behalf by the Canadian Coast Guard.

I wish to advise Members that the department has changed its procedure for the eastern Arctic re-supply and has just entered into a three year contract with a supplier for the supply of fuels directly to Repulse Bay and all Baffin communities.

The value of the contract is approximately $8 million annually, and is expected to save the government more than $600,000 over the three years.

This change in POL re-supply to the eastern Arctic was one recommendation from the work of the committees established by the Financial Management Board under the government's expenditure reduction program. Officials of the Departments of Transportation, Energy Mines and Petroleum Resources, and Economic Development and Tourism worked with Government Services and Public Works to develop the concept and tenders.

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, Members passed a motion recommending the Minister of Justice proceed on a priority basis to prepare a bill that would establish the right of access by the public to information held by government institutions.

As you know, the government took the initiative to produce a legislative action paper on access to government that formed the basis of the Standing Committee on Legislation's recommendations.

The sometimes low level of public turn out to committee meetings on this matter indicates that this initiative is not necessarily a high priority for all northern residents. Regardless, the fundamental principles involved in public access to information should form the basis of public government and we continue to support recognition...

Point of order, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Point Of Order

Mr. Speaker, Members only have the access to government information statement. We do not have the previous statement the Government Leader made. I believe she has gone into a second statement without Members being aware of it. Thank you.

Your point of order is valid, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Could I ask the Government Leader if we have a copy of the statement, please identify the statement, and if we do not have a copy, make it an emergency statement. Can you identify your second statement before you begin and start over again, please, Ms. Cournoyea.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot identify the paper. I was aware it had been in the House, but I do not have it.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In June, 1992, the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions released its final report on the Workers' Compensation Board. That report made specific recommendations for amendments to the act which were to be included in a legislative action paper.

In December, 1992, a chief commissioner, Garnet Garven, was appointed by the government to conduct a review of these recommendations, examine previous reviews and identify other areas for possible consideration in a legislative action paper. The chief commissioner's final report was tabled in this Assembly on February 25, 1993.

Today, I am tabling the legislative action paper. The Standing Committee on Legislation will be asked to review this document and conduct further public consultation as appropriate. At the same time, the Workers' Compensation Board will address those other issues included in the chief commissioner's report which do not require amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act.

I caution Members of the Assembly that this document is introduced for discussion purposes. Many of the recommendations have significant cost implications for the workers' compensation system and the Government of the Northwest Territories. Both the board and the government must, therefore, study these recommendations carefully before implementing any of them. Options are identified for many of the proposed amendments, and I am sure other alternatives will come to light in the course of the legislative review process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, aboriginal educators are an important part of our education system. They have helped and will continue to make the languages and cultures of the Northwest Territories an integral part of our school system. They are also an important reason why more NWT students are choosing to stay in school longer. Because of the vital contribution aboriginal educators and aboriginal language specialists make, increasing access to community teacher education programs for northern students is one of my priorities.

Teacher education has been available in the Northwest Territories for many years. In fact, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the western Arctic teacher education program at Thebacha campus of Arctic College.

---Applause

The eastern Arctic teacher education program has been operating since 1979. Although these campus-based programs have been successful, many northerners still cannot attend them because of family and community commitments. Divisional boards of education and communities have also said they want to have greater influence in shaping the programs which prepare teachers for their schools. As a result, community-based teacher education programs have been developed and offered in Rae-Edzo, the South Slave and in the Keewatin regions.

Today, I would like to announce our support for the planning of four new community-based teacher education programs in the Beaufort/Delta, the north Baffin, the Kitikmeot and the Dogrib regions.

---Applause

The Beaufort/Delta teacher education program, as you know, is being undertaken in partnership with the Beaufort/Delta division board of Education, the Inuvialuit social development program, the Gwich'in tribal council and Arctic College.

Up to 50 full-time trainees will receive instruction in the communities of Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk, Aklavik and Fort McPherson. Trainees in Arctic Red River, Sachs Harbour and Paulatuk will work with instructors who will guide them through some of the course work and provide overall coordination. Trainees in these communities will have to travel to the larger centres to take some of their courses. Some courses may also be delivered through distance education.

The Amittuq-Tununirusiq program will train 34 teachers in the north Baffin community of Arctic Bay, Hall Beach and Igloolik. The program is a partnership project of the Baffin divisional board of education, Arctic College's eastern Arctic teacher education program and my department. The courses will be delivered by instructors who will travel among the three communities. The program will be two years in length.

The Kitikmeot teacher education program is a partnership of the Kitikmeot divisional board of education, Arctic College and my department. Aboriginal language specialists with at least one year of teacher training will be encouraged to enter the program. The program will start this fall, and it is anticipated that at least ten students will enrol.

The Dogrib divisional board of education will offer a two year program in Lac La Martre, in partnership with Arctic College's western Arctic teacher education program at Thebacha campus and my department. The program will start this fall and graduate at least six teachers in 1995. This program is part of a more comprehensive teacher development plan that will also allow trainees in other Dogrib communities to earn some course credits each year.

Mr. Speaker, these programs will be partially funded under the cooperation agreement with the federal government on French and aboriginal languages.

Although we have not yet finalized the agreement and we object to the ten per cent cut to this funding, we cannot wait any longer to plan and comment work on the programs that will be offered in August or September. Through these four proposed community teacher education programs more than 100 new aboriginal teachers are expected to graduate within the next three years, in addition to those graduating from Arctic College's campus-based programs. If they choose, the graduates will be able to continue their studies and work towards a Bachelor of Education degree at McGill University in the east, or at the University of Saskatchewan in the west. I am convinced that partnerships between communities, divisional boards, Arctic College and the department will lead to an increasing number of aboriginal educators who will help make our schools more relevant. I am also confident that the necessary program funding will be available and that I will be announcing final approval of these community teacher education programs. I would also like to indicate, Mr. Speaker, that this statement and the efforts of the department have been done with the support of my Cabinet colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 2, Ministers' statements.

Mr. Speaker, I failed to say I was reading a new statement. The statement is 83-12(3). Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, Members passed a motion recommending the Minister of Justice proceed, on a priority basis, to prepare a bill that would establish the right of access by the public to information held by government institutions.

As you know, the government took the initiative to produce a legislative action paper on access to government that formed the basis of the Standing Committee on Legislation's recommendations.

The sometimes low level of public turn out to committee meetings on the matter indicates this initiatives is not necessarily for all northern residents. Regardless, the fundamental principle involved in public access to information should form the basis of public government and we continue to support recognition of those principles in law.

Because the government is facing difficult financial choices in maintaining and improving existing programs, it believes that any new initiative such as access to information must be simple, straightforward and implemented in a manner that does not drive us into a deficit position.

As a result, a draft bill to be presented to the fall session will be accompanied by budget projections. This approach is not intended to discourage legislative action, but to make sure that all Members are aware of the estimated cost of delivering the access to government information program before it is approved and implemented. Thank you.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Allooloo. Point of order, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Point Of Order

Mr. Speaker, the point of order I want to make is the first statement the Government Leader made, we do not have a copy of it. We only have a copy of the second statement that she made. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. I will have the Clerk verify whether or not we have a copy of it. Unfortunately, there is some confusion. I apologize to the House, it was marked "Mr. Morin" and the pages did confuse the situation. They are distributing the statement now. Thank you very much, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to announce that the hamlet of Fort Franklin became a charter community on April 1, 1993, and will be known as the charter community of Deline.

---Applause

Fort Franklin will be the first NWT community to obtain this status under the Charter Communities Act. The word "Deline", Mr. Speaker, is Slavey for "Where the waters flow."

Mr. Speaker, many individuals from the community were involved in achieving charter community status for Fort Franklin. I particularly wish to commend mayor Gina Dolphus and chief Raymond Taniton, along with the members of the hamlet, band councils and the one community government working committee, for their fresh thinking and hard work. The residents wanted to establish a one-community government and ensure community control in decision-making. The community charter, developed jointly by the band and hamlet councils and approved by the residents, creates a joint council with representation from the band and the community at large. In essence, Mr. Speaker, this will be a one-community government that is truly representative of the people it serves.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is currently working with the settlement corporation of Arctic Red River toward charter community status, and other communities have expressed interest as well in exploring the benefits of becoming a charter community.

We are, Mr. Speaker, entering a new and exciting stage in the evolution of community government. Residents of a community have an opportunity, at the grass roots level, to create a governing body that is a true reflection of the people it represents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Allooloo. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Is there one more Ministers' statement? Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department responsible for Education, Culture and Employment Programs provides a full range of heritage programs and services. The effects of these programs are far reaching, and their success depends very much on the participation of the public. To ensure that the needs of the communities are met consistently, fairly and equitably, my department is developing a strategy to guide the distribution of financial and professional support to museums, historical buildings and heritage projects. At this point, I would like to bring the Legislative Assembly up-to-date on our progress on this strategy.

The role of the museums/heritage division is to provide community groups with the tools, professional expertise and financial support they need to preserve the aspects of their heritage they consider to be most significant. I would like to emphasize, however, that community initiative is critical to the operation of community-based heritage programs. My department will work to provide programs and services that are flexible and will respond to community needs, however, the initiative for community-based heritage programs should rest with the communities.

My department's goal is -- within the constraints of our budget and staff resources -- to support heritage programming in any community that expressed a desire to participate. To meet this goal, and to provide consistent and fair service, our proposed strategy will incorporation a number of features. These include three proposed policies that will define and provide direction for NWT heritage programs.

Standards and criteria required to provide a consistent and equitable basis for the delivery of all heritage services are also being proposed. My department proposed to encourage and coordinate a network of community-based heritage groups to improve communication between government and communities, as well as encouraging increased communication among the communities themselves. The range of professional, financial and advisory services offered by the museums/heritage division will be advertised to the communities and a framework will be developed for legislation to protect historic buildings and heritage sites.

The three proposed policies will guide heritage services, archives operations and the disposal of library and museum collections. The heritage services policy would identify heritage programs administered by the department and define those programs, and the relationship between the museums/heritage division and community-based heritage programs.

The Northwest Territories archives policy would provide direction for administration of the Northwest Territories archives, particularly with regard to the collection, preservation and management of non-governmental records. The responsibility for the government records is addressed under the Archives Act, the collections disposal policy would provide the direction and accountability for the disposal of library museum collections, particularly, with regard to the transfer of those collections to department-based programs.

The time for Ministers' statements has elapsed. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my honourable colleagues for their support. The department is also proposing a strategy for equitable distribution of funding and services to heritage projects. This strategy will establish criteria for contributions in five areas: capital contributions for heritage centre, core funding for the operation of heritage centres, capital contributions for heritage projects, capital contributions for territorial heritage buildings and grants for special heritage projects.

The department is also proposing a set of guidelines to administer the funding programs identified.

---Applause