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

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Tree of Peace has operated educational programs since 1972. I was approached by Mr. Eagle on March 25 because he and I had, in fact, been involved in many of these contribution agreements in the 1970s. He told me that he was uncertain about the future of the Tree of Peace but he had nothing in writing as to what exactly was happening and what the commitments were. I talked to the Minister of Education who assured me that, in the last week of December, a letter had been sent to the Tree of Peace indicating what the future of the kindergarten programs, and the funding arrangements for adult education programs, would be.

That afternoon I went to the Tree of Peace and found that the last letter that the Tree of Peace had received from the department was from a year and a half ago. So, I returned to the House and asked Mr. Nerysoo if he would fax a copy of the letter to Mr. Eagle, so that Mr. Eagle would know exactly what was intended. No such letter was available, so a new one was written dated March 25 that went to Mr. Eagle indicating that, in fact, as of the end of this year, June, there would be no money for the kindergarten program. This program has existed, as I have said, Mr. Speaker, since 1972 because it is a very unique kind of program in which 32 students are involved and 80 per cent of them are aboriginal young people. The impetus for the program began with Florence Erasmus in the early days, who felt very strongly that young aboriginal people should have some grounding in their language and culture. It was on that basis that this particular program was funded through the Tree of Peace. The department has indicated in its letter to Mr. Eagle that he would like to discuss what options may be available to the Tree of Peace if they wish to continue with this program, and they are prepared to sit down to discuss it. However, it seems clear from the letter that the department no longer wishes to fund the kindergarten program at the Tree of Peace and there should be an explanation as to why, in fact, that program is now being cut. Thank you.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I stand today with regard to the response I received to my question concerning the effect of dumping waste in the ocean by PanArctic, and also of the DEW Line covering up the debris, to

the environment. Mr. Speaker, the return to my written question of February 23, regarding DEW Line and PanArctic, is that the response is not appropriate, it is not adequate. To my understanding, the answer to my question appears to support the dumping of the waste in the ocean. It does not state that they will be confronted to make an agreement with the companies involved.

I further want to say that when we have been away from our country it is hard to determine what it is like. After I have been away from Pond Inlet for awhile, I soon forget what it is like. All of us from the north know the ground which we walk on. If we are to say we are from the Arctic it is true. We all know that the response to my question from the Minister responsible for the environment, the Minister of Renewable Resources...

Mr. Pudluk, your allotted time has elapsed.

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

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. We all know the area, Beattie Island is where the graves are located. It has been 140 years since those bodies were buried. We saw through television that after 146 years, the bodies which had been buried, when they were dug up, you could still distinguish the bodies and the features, you could recognize them. Today, if you were to be buried in the permafrost of the north, after 146 years you could be recognized. In the statement it is stated that the debris, the garbage, which had been buried underground will reappear in the summer. As far as I know this does not happen because the permafrost does not thaw out very deep.

The way in which I understood the response is, after they are dug up, after they have been buried, they would surface again. I do not agree with this. The response in the written letter, I have come to realize, did not come from the Minister. The response was prepared by the department which is supporting the dumping of the waste in the environment. With an agreement from the Minister, his department can easily do this. So, I do not believe in this response to my question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

If I could just remind Members, we are coming to the end of the session. So If the Members could please show respect to the House and each other as we wind down the session, it would be appreciated. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to respectfully comment on statements made by the Minister of Social Services yesterday, in response to Mr. Koe's questions. To the effect that "...it would not be advisable to use the agreement for the transfer of social services responsibilities to the town of Iqaluit as a model because it is ten years old." Mr. Speaker, to inform this House, the town of Iqaluit has been unhappy with these agreement for many years. The agreement is an agency agreement. It gives the town very little flexibility to set its own priorities in the social services areas within its responsibilities. It retains significant controls over major decisions in social services headquarters in Yellowknife and, until recently, payment authorities as well.

I would respectfully suggest that the Honourable Minister of Social Services be committed to responding to the long standing request of the town of Iqaluit to modernize and revise the agreement between her department and the town so that it is not an agency agreement, but a real community transfer agreement. It is not acceptable, in my opinion, that the Minister of Social Services should appear complacent about this ten year old model being inadvisable. She should be committed to revising and updating the agreement so it is a real transfer of power and not a clone of a departmental program. That agreement will not be a model for community transfer as long as there is continued resistance from the government to amending the agreement to transfer real authority and discretion to the town of Iqaluit.

When I was Minister of Social Services, I took steps to ensure the agreement would be substantially amended with fundamental character changes, but I was not around long enough to follow that through. The town is ready and willing to be much more than the department's agent. The town is anxious to set its own priorities and manage available funds with the flexibility to respond to shifting local needs and demands.

In closing, I urge the Minister to direct her officials to work with the town and revise this agreement.

Mr. Patterson.

Thank you.

Thank you.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Zoe, your allotted time has elapsed.

Agreed.

---Agreed

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

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With regard to the statement made by my colleague for High Arctic, Mr. Speaker, the Members sitting on both sides of the House all know that we have grown up in the north and when we were growing up, we never experienced our ancestors dumping waste in the environment. We will be encouraging the government to try to not spoil our environment. We all share the same world and we do not want to dump waste in our environment. There is no agreement in place to prevent the dumping of waste in our environment. Mr. Speaker, I am in full support of the Member for High Arctic and his struggle. I just wanted to comment on that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make a few comments on the state of our economy and employment in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, many Members of this Assembly, especially our colleague Mr. Todd who has since moved to the other side of this House, have made many eloquent statements about our economy and the status of unemployment in the Northwest Territories.

In the last Assembly, there was a special committee that looked at the economic situations and did extensive work and prepared various strategies. I think the report was titled the SCONE report and dealt on various strategies dealing with arts and crafts, small business, transportation, renewable resources and tourism.

Yet today, Mr. Speaker, we are still faced with the same situations: high transportation costs; chronic unemployment; increased taxes; increasing our WCB rates which affect employment; and increasing paper burdens on businesses, organizations and residences. We are still talking about these things. The budget address which the Minister of Finance presented to this House relies greatly on non-renewable resource developments and hydro developments. I guess his wish and all of ours is that some of these developments would come to fruition and solve some of the problems we are experiencing.

Also, the new programs, the amalgamation of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, and the Public Works and Housing programs put together are hopefully going to help resolve some of these issues. However, we still need better communication. I think our time for words and studies are long passed. We have heard these over and over again, now is the time for action. Mahsi.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to give my position on uranium mining in any area of the Beverly Qamanirjuaq caribou range. At the time of the federal environmental assessment review hearings which took place in the Northwest Territories for the Kiggavik mine, I had not really taken a position. As the local economic development officer,

I stood before the panel and indicated that the opening of the mine would create employment in the Keewatin region.

Mr. Speaker, at that time it was my mandate to assist in the creation of employment. That mandate is still part of my responsibilities today. However, I have to take into consideration all the surrounding elements of such proposals. One of the ongoing concerns is the effect that such mines will have on the wildlife which our people have depended upon for thousands of years. Especially in the area around Baker Lake, there is essentially one type of animal which the people are able to subsist on. That, as everyone should know well by now, is the caribou. There are other wildlife which the people hunted traditionally such as the musk-oxen, however they are an endangered species in the area where I live. Mr. Speaker, I would very much like to support something which will create employment, but a uranium mine has too many unanswered questions which even the people in the industry are not able to answer. I, therefore, have to oppose any move to open uranium mines.

I have over the years become one of those people who is a weekend hunter and thoroughly enjoy traditional foods. I would like to pass on these trades to my children and with the prospects of uranium mines opening in the area where the caribou roam, I do not know whether my children will be able to hunt and eat the same kinds of foods that I am able to enjoy.

I would like to show my appreciation to the people in the community of Baker Lake who fought to hard to preserve our traditional way of life. They were the same people who made presentations at the FEARO hearings against the Kiggavik mine. I believe they did the right thing. I hope they will continue to work together to oppose any opening of uranium mines in the Beverly Qamanirjuaq caribou range. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Todd.

(English not provided)...for the support they have provided me over this past year. In particular, I would like to extend my appreciation for the support provided by the following regional organizations: Keewatin Inuit Association, Keewatin Regional Council, KCC, and the Keewatin Regional Health Board. Without their support and guidance, I think that my position today would be weaker today than it is now. On behalf of my constituents, the people who have been working with me, I would like to thank them for their support. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Peter Gzowski started golf tournaments throughout the Northwest Territories to raise money for literacy. He has been in Pond Inlet and ever since that time the community of Pond Inlet has held celebrity golf tournaments. This year it is going to be held in Pond Inlet on May 8. There will be celebrities going to Pond Inlet. I would like to invite all of the Members who are able to come to Pond Inlet to celebrate the spring and enjoy the scenery, which is the best looking community in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, I am glad that I will be there this year to enjoy the weather and the people, and play golf at the same time, on the ice. Thank you.

Item 3, Members' statements. Ms. Mike.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to rise today and thank my constituents. Ever since I was elected my constituents have supported me. Ever since I became a Cabinet Member I have not gone to my communities because there was a great deal of work to do. To this date, they have been very supportive and I would like to thank them for that. I would like to apologize that I was not able to be in Pangnirtung when they held hamlet days. For the residents of Clyde River, Broughton Island and Pangnirtung, I would like to thank them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Whitford.

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

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be speaking in my own language today. If the House should end today our next meeting will be in the new Legislative Assembly building. Since I became an MLA we have has several meetings, this latest meeting has lasted a month, and we have spoken about many things. We remember the people who we represent and we speak for them. We hope that many of our wishes are fulfilled. When we ask questions we get good responses to them. I am anxious to see the end of this meeting, however, I am thankful to everyone here and this is why I wish to pass this message on. Thank you.

Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question, asked by Mr. Lewis on March 30, 1993, regarding the evaluation of NWT AIDS project review.

Mr. Speaker, on March 30, 1993, the Member for Yellowknife Centre asked whether evaluation of the AIDS prevention program conducted by an independent consultant was complete and whether Members of this House could see it.

Mr. Speaker, the results of the consultant's evaluation were incorporated into Tabled Document 91-12(3), Northwest Territories AIDS Project - Review, which was tabled on March 11, 1993. Specifically, the evaluation aspects are contained in chapter four through seven.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question, asked by Mr. Antoine on March 30, 1993, regarding the SCOF recommendations on key result indicators.

Mr. Speaker, on March 30, 1993, the chairman of the Standing Committee on Finance asked me which of the health statistics and data requested by SCOF during its review of the 1992-93 budget were available.

A package containing the Department of Health's responses to requests is en route to the Standing Committee on Finance. The health statistics provided include, but are not limited to, the following:

1)mortality and sickness statistics and trends;

2)local employment in health care;

3)health cost containment; and,

4)health facility utilization.

There are some outstanding issues that require further clarification or extensive background information and these items will be forwarded to the Standing Committee on Finance as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have another return to an oral question asked by Mr. Koe on March 30, 1993, regarding legislative review of health related acts.

act with emphasis on health promotion, protection and prevention.

A request for proposal (RFP) was published in News/North and the Globe & Mail. The closing date was January 21, 1993. There were three proposals submitted. None of the three proposals were from a designated northern business.

The proposals were reviewed and rated and, as a result, the department selected Wilson Associates of Edmonton, Alberta. The department is currently finalizing the terms of the agreement. Wilson Associates bring expertise and experience in the areas of public health, health planning and reorganization, and public health law.

Mr. Speaker, I have another return to an oral question asked by Mr. Whitford on March 30, 1993, regarding status of tobacco information officer position.

Mr. Speaker, on March 30, 1993, the Member for Yellowknife South asked me whether the Department of Health still has a tobacco education officer.

The Department of Health has not had a person year dedicated to the direct delivery of tobacco education for three years. The direct delivery of service is the responsibility of health boards. Over the past 18 months the department has transferred four health promotion position to the regions. Part of their responsibility is tobacco education.

Many other health workers such as community health representatives, nutritional staff, doctors and nurses are also promoting the non-use of tobacco products, especially by the youth of the Northwest Territories.

The Department of Health is responsible for territorial-wide program planning and development of educational material in relation to smoking. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That concludes all my replies. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Health. I have read, Mr. Speaker, in fact I spent a long time reading Tabled Document 91-12(3), and I know that the consultant's report is incorporated in that document. My question to the Minister was could I have the consultant's report. I have decided to take an interest in the AIDS problem, I have the time to do it, and in the interests and spirit of access to information, which will not cost a penny, would the Minister give me that consultant's report so I can brief myself more fully on what the consultant found out.

---Applause

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I could provide the consultant's report to Mr. Lewis.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

There is a weekend coming up, Mr. Speaker, and I will have some time to read. Could I have that report today, please?

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If it is handy, I do not see any problem.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Renewable Resources and environment, regarding my earlier Member's statement, Written Question 21-12(3) asked on February 23, 1993. Did the Minister take proper consideration before he made the reply?

Mr. Allooloo.

Yes, we looked at the Member's question thoroughly. We tried to answer the way the question was posed to us. The question says that PanArctic Oil has also been told by Indian and Northern Affairs not to dispose of their equipment underground. Later on, the Member asked why have these organizations received approval for different ways of disposing of their garbage? Therefore, Mr. Speaker, since he is talking about Indian and Northern Affairs, my department had to research why the Indian and Northern Affairs did not look into letting PanArctic Oil dispose of their garbage underground. The reason they gave us was that first of all PanArctic Oil, in my response to the Member, has not proposed land burial as a method of waste disposal. They go on to say that their reason for not seeking burial on land is because of the high content of ice in the soil. If the garbage were buried in this soil, the freezing and thawing action would eventually cause the garbage to raise back out of the ground.

Mr. Speaker, our position is quite clear. In our meeting my representatives said there should not be ocean dumping.

---Applause

Also, in our statement we said the federal government has to look at their policy which allows industries to dump in the ocean. They allow them to dump garbage in the ocean, according to the current process. I have written a letter to the Minister of the Environment asking him to review his policy stating that ocean dumping is not acceptable to the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very glad to receive that response from the Minister. The written response to my written question was not understandable to me but now I have that background information. The Minister has not really responded to my earlier question. Why does the federal government allow the DEW Line people and PanArctic Oil to dispose of their garbage this way? When we first met about this there were three mandates. The first one was PanArctic's request to dump waste into the ocean, to put it underground, or take it back south where it came from in the first place. There were three choices. We were supposed to look for a fourth option as to what we could do to dispose of this garbage, whether it be dumped in the community dump. However, the fourth option has not been considered. My question was, why was the DEW Line approved in such a way, and PanArctic oil approved in another way. Why did they not allow PanArctic to dispose of their garbage as they did with the Dew Line? This was my question that he did not properly answer. Why are there differences between these two companies?

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, PanArctic oil has not had a proposal to put before the government to bury the garbage. The company has to apply to the Government of Canada to bury its garbage.

Mr. Speaker, that is why, as the Government of the Northwest Territories, we have asked the permit be withheld to dump garbage into the ocean, so we can look at different options including burying it on Lougheed Island or reusing the material. The material could possibly be reused. Mr. Speaker, I have talked to the Member privately and I suggested that he and I go up to Lougheed Island this summer to look at the garbage to see if it could be reused. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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

Mr. Speaker, yes, I agree with the Minister. We can go there tomorrow, if possible.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, he keeps answering in English, so I might as well ask the question in English as well. Mr. Speaker, I brought this up because many people are concerned about this. I do not know if the Minister will respond before April 15. Could you keep in contact with the Minister of the Environment of Canada to try and avoid this proposed permit? Thank you.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, not only that, I have been writing to him asking his commitment to respond before April 15 and also my deputy minister is constantly in contact with the federal officials to get that point across. Mr. Speaker, every opportunity that I get I will try to convey our message to the Minister. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there was a serious accident at the Royal Oak Mine. It occurred at 1:30 in the morning. There was a miner working in the 249 decline. The miners' lower legs were squashed between the bucket of a load/haul dump unit. It is believe that a part of the load/haul dump unit inched forward trapping the miner. The miner is currently in the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital with suspected fractures in both legs.

This is a growing concern of the department. The honourable Member is correct, there have been a number of accidents specifically related to this kind of infraction. We are doing the best we can to ensure that they are meeting industry standards in terms of safety, but at this time, that is the information I have. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Todd.

I spoke to the gentlemen responsible for mine safety in the Department of Safety and Public Services this morning at 9:00. I have asked him to provide me with an update on the degree of accidents that have happened in that mine and where they have happened, to see if there is any correlation between this accident and previous ones. Once I have that information and we have a more accurate reflection of why these accidents happen, I want to assure the honourable Member that the department of mine safety will be very active in ensuring this man, along with others, works in accordance with the safety regulations as set out in the act.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Thank you. Mr. Todd.

I want to assure the honourable Member that he will be kept informed of the results of our investigation and I will also undertake to provide him with the analysis that is currently being done by mine safety inspector as to the degree and extent of the accidents in this mine and in others.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I respond to the honourable Member and the remarks he has made, let me clarify this matter very clearly. Mr. Speaker, I want to indicate that one of the first letters I was asked to sign was the matter of reducing $80,000 to the kindergarten program. I also want to advise the honourable Member, that as a result of that, $25,000 is going to project change here in Yellowknife where we are doubling from $50,000 to $100,000 in literacy programming in the Northwest Territories, as a result of that change. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to advise the honourable Members that nothing in this agreement suggests that we are going to completely cancel the program. We have, in fact, asked the Tree of Peace and Tom Eagle to sit down with us to negotiate a new agreement. If, in fact, we have a responsibility to deliver the kindergarten program we will do so. We need to sit down and negotiate that agreement. The manner in which the program is being presently funded, if all other schools were to receive the same type of funding, we would, in fact, have millions of dollars of cost. What is clear, is the present funding arrangement is not in the correct location. As a result of that we need to sit down and deal with it pragmatically, rationally, responsibly and if the Tree of Peace requires us to fund the program, we will fund it. If we need a new agreement, we will sign a new agreement. That is a commitment from this Minister and this Cabinet.

---Applause

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On March 25, at the Minister's instigation, one of his officials wrote to Mr. Eagle, and it was a faxed letter which went to him. One of the sentences in that letter reads, "The department is no longer able to provide a contribution towards the kindergarten program offered by the Tree of Peace." Does this mean then that when the Minister says he will assist or help, does this mean that it will be something else besides a financial contribution toward the kindergarten program, or is there still a financial commitment from the government?

Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not want anyone to get the impression from the honourable Member's statement that somehow I have decided that we are not going to provide any financial resources. That is not the

case. If anything, I would hope that from the results of our discussions with Mr. Eagle we can, in fact, come to a conclusion as to how we are going to properly fund the program. The present way in which we are funding the program is based on preschool programming. The Government of the Northwest Territories and all schools are not funded based on preschool. That is the unfortunate situation. However, it must be rectified. I think one of the responsibilities that I have assumed is, in fact, to rectify those problems which exist. It is not necessarily to just cut off programs but to ensure they are properly funded in the right location. That is exactly what we intend to do. If it means we provide financial resources, then that is what we do.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Is the Minister saying that the Tree of Peace does not run the kindergarten program and therefore it is inappropriate for the government to fund that kindergarten program but will find some other way to make a contribution to what the Tree of Peace does that it considers to be of value to this community.

Thank you. Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, it is incredible that the honourable Member would get up in this House and make the suggestion that the people here do not care about the people of the Northwest Territories, or for that matter people of Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, I have indicated previously that we are, in fact, committed to providing financial resources if the Tree of Peace staff, Tom Eagle, sit down with us and negotiates the agreement. We will fund, in fact, the program if that is the agreement we reach. We need to sit down. We have asked Mr. Eagle to sit down with us.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The questions earlier in the House today about the accidents at Giant Mine prompt me to ask the Minister of Safety and Public Services about the process which has been under way for some time, to review the Mining Safety Act towards overhauling and updating this legislation. I know the Minister has attempted to involve the labour movement in the review process to make it more complete, so could the Minister give this House a report on the status of the mining safety bill review committee. Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are close to an agreement to ensure that all parties and all stakeholders are actively involved in the Mining Safety Act committee. I am confident that by Monday we will be able to bring to the table all workers' representatives as well as mine management. At this time, the act is at Justice with respect to having if done into legalese. The component which is of significant interest to the workers in particular are the regulations. They are 60 to 70 per cent along. The new committee or the enlarged committee will then review the act and will complete the regulations which are necessary for this act to be enacted. I am hopeful that with some new members to the committee we will have a committee which is representative of all workers in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Koe.