Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the Minister of Finance's budget address, the Honourable Mr. Pollard outlines some of the impediments to the continued fiscal health of our government's financing, the virtual elimination of federal funding for social housing and the continued overspending on forest firefighting and the recognition of additional employee ultimate renewal benefits.

There are also many other unresolved financial issues; the health billings dispute with the Government of Canada; the wage parity dispute with the union; and, most significantly, the negotiation of a new formula financing agreement with the Government of Canada.

I believe the new formula financing agreement will not be as beneficial as the existing one, as the Government of Canada is demonstrating fiscal restraint and cutbacks in almost all of their policies. You only have to look at Transport Canada's plans to downsize their operations and most recently, with the renewal of the official language agreement funding in which the amount of reduced funding is still under negotiation.

Too many times, we have seen companies awarded GNWT contracts bring in their total workforce, not utilize local services, bypass the commercial accommodation policy and minimize their contribution to the local economy. These issues are what a new redefined and enforceable BIP should specifically address. Mr. Speaker, if the capital budget remains at around the $200 million mark for the next few years, with all the pressure to meet currently planned needs and the unforseen need for new program dollars, the capital budget will begin to address a smaller and smaller percentage of yearly capital requirements.

A rapidly expanding population will also continue to increase pressure on our infrastructure needs. The budget has continued to place a high priority on education and housing needs, and rightly so, as basic housing is critical to the social well-being of our residents. We all concur that education and training of our youth and adult population is critical, not only now, but to the future of the two new territories after 1999.

Mr. Speaker, the major concern I have with the 1995-96 capital budget is with respect to the Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Justice. The capital spending of these departments represents only 5.3 per cent of the total capital budget. I find this unacceptable, given the fact that in my constituency -- which I am sure is no different than many others -- there are numerous requests and demands put forward to the department for facilities and program support to address health and social needs.

Recent ones that I am aware of, since my election, are elders' residences and family violence shelters. More recent ones that have come to light from recent constituency meetings are alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities and, what I feel should become one of the future priorities of the department and the government, youth centres.

Mr. Speaker, I raise the issue of youth centres and support programming for youth as a result of youth throughout the NWT requesting government assistance to establish these facilities and support programming to address their needs. We, as leaders, have recognized the importance of youth to our future, yet have failed, besides providing what we feel they need, to provide services to youth based on what they feel is needed.

During my constituency visit to Coppermine last week, I met with four classes at the high school, the teacher education program class, the adult education class and I held a public constituency meeting, which was attended by approximately 75 people.

A common concern and request from all of the meetings was the need for additional support for youth. It was pointed out that whether it be drop-in centres, counselling services, expanded recreational programs, or cultural experience activities, we must begin to recognize and address the needs of our youth, as they won't simply disappear if we choose to ignore them.

Mr. Speaker, the government must also address how they provide capital and services to unorganized, smaller communities. Many times, these communities are overlooked, or left to the end of the list in recognizing their infrastructure needs. Even though these communities have very small population bases, our government must still address their needs, along with all others, in a fair, equitable manner.

With the exception of the Health and Social Services budget, which I feel is underfunded, I commend the government in their preparation of the 1995-96 capital budget. They have addressed as many needs as possible, given financial realities they have to work under of never having enough resources to adequately address all our needs.

Mr. Speaker, although we are addressing the capital budget, it cannot be done in isolation of the main estimates as they are directly related. I've never understood the reasoning of carrying out two budget processes. The SCOF review and the Legislative Assembly review of two different budgets, doubles the amount of time required to approve proposed government expenditures. It's an unnecessary waste of our valuable human resources. It's my understanding that the reason for bringing forward the capital budget earlier was to allow more time and efficiency for earlier planning and tendering of projects. I'm still to be convinced that this is the case as I don't see it happening in my constituency.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, although the government must continue to address the current unresolved and ongoing disputed issues which will affect their financing, I believe that this government and the next government have to focus on three major financial initiatives with the federal government:

1. Ensuring a reasonable formula financing agreement is reached in order not to significantly erode our existing baseline funding;

2. Ensuring that sufficient incremental financial resources are provided in order to meet the additional infrastructure and program delivery requirements of establishing two new territories leading up to and after 1999; and,

I do not envy the position this and the next government finds itself in, of having to deliver more with less financial resources at their disposal. We must assess the way we deliver our capital programs to ensure that we are doing it effectively and efficiently.

And finally, Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the Minister of Finance and the Cabinet Members for their support and assistance to me in addressing the needs of my constituents since I became the Member for Kitikmeot. I also wish to thank my honourable colleagues who have, on many occasions, provided me words of wisdom even though I've never asked for them. Thank you very much.

---Applause